Heads Up: Northbound I-75 Closed Until November

It’s not the news anyone wants to hear, but traffic on northbound I-75 is about to get a whole lot messier for the next few months.

If your plans involve going up north or crossing the Zilwaukee Bridge for work, well, you're going to have to map out a different route.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is shutting down northbound I-75 between Kochville and Wadsworth roads starting today (August 4). And it's not just a quick fix; this travel headache is expected to last until mid-November.

According to WNEM, MDOT is dropping $2.9 million into preventive maintenance on the Zilwaukee Bridge. That means things like joint repairs, deck patching, and resealing. Basically, all the stuff that keeps the bridge in good shape and avoids bigger issues down the road.

MDOT’s Steve Katenhus

We know it’s an inconvenience, but it’ll extend the life of the bridge for years."

In other words: deal with the detour now or deal with way worse later.

I-75 Zilwaukee Bridge Detour Options

If you're heading north, MDOT is sending all traffic over to northbound I-675. Crews started the shift around 9 a.m. this morning, so expect delays and plenty of barrels.

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And it’s not just the main stretch of I-75 being shut down. These ramps are also closed for now:

• Westbound M-81 to northbound I-75

• Southbound M-13 to northbound I-75

• Northbound I-75 to northbound M-13

• Southbound I-675 to northbound I-75

Depending on your direction, you might have better luck with M-46, M-81, or M-13 as detours. It’s not ideal, but it’ll get you where you need to go.