Road Work To Close Busy Stretch Of I-696 In Oakland Co. For 2 Years

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — A major construction project is going to close a busy stretch of Interstate 696 in Oakland County for two years, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Starting March 1, eastbound Interstate 696 between Lahser Road and Interstate 75 will completely close for road repairs, according to officials.

Officials say the eight-mile stretch of the highway that runs through multiple Oakland County communities, including Ferndale, Hazel Park, Royal Oak and Southfield is in rough shape and needs repairs.

For a detour, road officials suggest drivers should take Michigan 10 (Lodge Freeway) south, merge onto Michigan 8 (Davison Freeway) east across Highland Park, then turn north on Interstate 75, where they can return to Interstate 696.

The road work is the final part of a $275 million project to rebuild the freeway, according to officials.

In 2023 and 2024, construction crews worked on the western section of the freeway from Interstate 275 to Lahser Road.