MDOT Plans I-696 Shutdown In Macomb County

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Drivers in Macomb County are in for some major pain in 2018. The Michigan Department of Transportation is aiming to repair westbound I-696 between I-75 and I-94 starting next spring.

The $90 million project will be completed late next year, MDOT Spokesperson Diane Cross said. Two factors make getting the 10-mile stretch of freeway fixed a priority, she said.

Macomb County’s portion of the massive I-75 modernization project is close to the horizon, meaning I-696 works needs to be completed beforehand. Secondly, Cross said, the state could end up losing Federal funding if the project is delayed.

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If delayed, it could be 2024 before the state could do I-696 work, she added. And that could be even harder on drivers.

I-696 carries approximately 150,000 vehicles a day through Macomb County and is in poor condition, Cross said. The project would replace concrete on the westbound portion of the highway while eastbound would remain open. Bridges, which are in better condition that the roadway, would also have maintenance work completed.

Traffic will be detoured from westbound I-94 to northbound I-75 in Detroit, which will take drivers back to westbound I-696.

MDOT will hold a public meeting on the project on Oct. 24 from 4-7 p.m. It will be held at Warren City Hall.

File photo