Eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens closing Monday for toxic green ooze cleanup

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – The eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens Avenue in Madison Heights will close at 9 a.m. Monday for the final stages of the cleanup of the toxic green ooze.

In December, 2019, hexavalent chromium was found leaking onto I-696. Since then, workers with the EPA and ELGE have been cleaning the site.

Authorities said the ramp closure will allow for the removal of concrete to fully clean and remove the known-carcinogen.

Madison Heights officials said EGLE and EPA conducted an extensive investigation, installed a treatment system and collected more than 350,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater to be treated.

The ramp is expected to reopen sometime in late spring.

More information can be found on the MDOT official website here.

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Previous Coverage:

• EPA hands over control of toxic ooze site in Madison Heights to state regulators
• Major progress made cleaning up toxic green ooze site in Madison Heights
• Hank Winchester confronts building owner at center of Madison Heights toxic ooze case
• Where things stand in cleanup of toxic green ooze site in Madison Heights, demolition battle
• Owner of toxic green ooze site in new legal battle over Detroit property
• Cleanup plan announced for site of toxic green ooze in Madison Heights
• Crews continue to clean toxic green ooze on I-696 amid pandemic