I-69 Will be Completely Shut Down in Both Directions This Weekend

It’s no secret that most of us have been dodging construction projects pretty much all summer long. We’re talking several closures and detours on I-75, 475, and nearly every side street you turn on.

Well, you can add another one to the list in Lapeer County. The good news is it will be a short-lived project.

I-69 will be completely shut down in both directions this weekend for utility work, and as you can imagine, it’s going to be a major headache for some drivers.

Why Is I-69 Shutting Down in Lapeer County This Weekend?

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, crews need to install new overhead utility lines over I-69. The only safe way to get it done is to close both directions overnight. MDOT says doing the work at night will help limit the impact, but yeah, it’s still going to mess with some weekend plans.

When and Where Will I-69 Be Closed?

The closure is happening Saturday, August 23, at 8 p.m. until Sunday, August 24 at 5 a.m. It will affect both directions of I-69 between Wilder Road (Exit 159) and Lake Pleasant Road (Exit 163) in Lapeer County.

See Also: I-73: Michigan Might Be Getting a Brand-New Interstate

Most of the work will happen overnight, so you probably won’t hit the worst of the traffic. But if you’re driving late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, you’ll definitely want to plan a different route.

With I-69 closed between Wilder Road (Exit 159) and Lake Pleasant Road (Exit 163), MDOT is suggesting the following detour routes:

• Eastbound Traffic Detour:

  • Exit at Wilder Road (Exit 159)

  • Travel south on Wilder Road

  • Turn east onto Newark Road

  • Go north on Lake Pleasant Road to get back on I-69

• Westbound Traffic Detour:

  • Exit at Lake Pleasant Road (Exit 163)

  • Travel south on Lake Pleasant Road

  • Turn west onto Newark Road

  • Go north on Wilder Road to get back on I-69

Like I said, this will be a quick overnight project and shouldn't cause too many issues.