MDOT Warns Of 'Big Delays' Along Highways As Crews Fix Potholes

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced closings on north- and southbound ramps to Interstate 75 from I-696, and lane closures that will take I-696 to two lanes from I-75 to Woodward Avenue. Eastbound I-696 will be one lane from Dequindre Road to Mound Road.

MDOT warns motorists to “Expect big delays in all directions till 7 p.m.” MDOT made the announcement via Twitter early Thursday morning. On Tuesday, 15 cars were damaged by a collection of deep, rain-filled potholes near an I-696 ramp on St. Clair Shores. State troopers to close the ramp while MDOT trucks made temporary repairs.

MDOT publised a complete list of repairs and shutdowns for Thursday:

I-696 in Oakland:

Westbound I-696 from 75 to Woodward and northbound and southbound 75 Ramps will be closed to westbound 696 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Only the right lane will be open; three left lanes will be closed (75 ramps closed)
3 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Two right lanes open; two left lanes closed (75 ramps closed)

I-75 in Oakland:

Southbound I-75 from Adams and Crooks:
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.: Only the left lane will be open; two right lanes are closed

US-24/Telegraph in Oakland:

Southbound US-24 from Hickory Grove and Long Lake: from 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Only the right lane will be open; two left lanes are closed

MDOT will continue to fix the potholes, using contracted crews to repair the worst of the pavement on I-696, I-75, and US-24 (Telegraph), on dry days, while county road crews continue to be on the lookout for potholes. Work will take place all day, even during morning and evening rush hours, “to get as much done during dry weather,” according to MDOT. This will leave just one lane open at times, the agency says.

Eastbound I-696 between US-24 and I-94 will be repaired first, followed by westbound 696 from Dequindre Rd to US-24. I-75 between 12 Mile and Coolidge (southbound) will be repaired first, followed by the northbound stretch. Southbound US-24 between Long Lake and Orchard Lake will be repaired first, followed by the northbound side, MDOT reports.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.