Southbound I-275 Closure to Cause Commute Disruptions

Commuters have another reason to dread Monday morning when the southbound I-275 closes for construction.

According to a press release by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the highway will close at 9 a.m., directly affecting residents of Farmington Hills, Livonia and Novi.

The closure will cause quite an inconvenient detour, requiring eastbound I-96 traffic to continue onto I-696 to southbound M-10 to southbound M-39, then westbound I-96 back to southbound I-275. A map of the project details can be found here.

Two lanes of northbound I-275 will be closed during weeknight and weekend work, including the shoulders. In addition, Haggerty Road is closed over I-96/I-696/I-275, but is expected to reopen before the southbound I-275 closure.

The closure is part of a $75 million reconstruction plan to replace 88 miles of concrete along the highway from north of 5 Mile Road to the I-96/I-696/M-5 interchange, said the release.

The project will also include shoulder work on I-275, concrete repairs on I-696, repairs on 16 bridges, drainage improvements and work on the intelligence transportation systems.

The MDOT estimates the project will be complete in July, when construction on the northbound lanes will begin.