I-696 Detroit Metro Traffic Hell: Reduced Lanes and Closures

Following the news we shared a couple of days ago about the possibility of Square Lake Road ramps to I-75 going away... Now, there's another major project getting underway in Metro Detroit.

Rebuilding I-696 In Metro Detroit

As part of the Rebuilding Michigan initiative, I-696 is essentially being torn down and completely rebuilt over the next two years. Here's the MDOT timeline of 2023 events that will impact commute times:

• Friday 02/24 8pm through Monday 02/27 at 5am Westbound I-696 from I-257 to US-24 (Telegraph Road) will close to prepare for traffic shifting.
• Friday 02/24 8pm Orchard Lake Road ramp to WB I-696 will close through fall 2023.
• Monday 02/27 that same area will only have two lanes open through fall 2023.
• Friday 03/10 through late fall, Eastbound I-696 from I-275 to US-24 (Telegraph Road) will have two lanes open on the Westbound side of the expressway.

During 2023 I-696 (eastbound only) will be rebuilt from I-275 to Evergreen Road.

When will the Westbound side of I-696 be rebuilt?

MDOT states the Westbound lanes will be reconstructed in 2024. All of those details can be found here. There a helpful Traffic Map on that link, in case you cannot avoid the construction project.

What's included in the rebuild of I-696?

$275 million will be spent on this project. That includes:

• rebuilding the entire roadway from the base up.
• storm and sewer replacement work
• rebuilding ramps at:
  • Orchard Lake Road
  • American Drive
  • Franklin Road
  • M-10 (Northwestern Hwy)
  • US-24 (Telegraph Road)

Get our free mobile app

The project will provide about 3,500 construction jobs. That doesn't make the traffic nightmare any easier to swallow, though.

See Also: Do You Know All of Michigan's 6-Point Traffic Violations?