Eastbound I-696 in Oakland County to Close for Two Years Starting March 1
Beginning March 1, thousands of Michigan motorists who use eastbound Interstate 696 to drive to work, school, or home will face a difficult commute. The Michigan Department of Transportation will close an eight-mile stretch of the interstate in Oakland County for two years. Department officials say the closure is necessary to complete much-needed work on the roadway’s aging pavement infrastructure.
The interstate’s closure will extend from M-10 and Lahser Road in Southfield to Interstate 75 near Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Hazel Park. DOT spokesperson Diane Cross said westbound lanes on 696 will remain open during the project’s duration, which is expected to wrap up in late 2027.
MDOT has designated a detour around the 696 construction zone in a route that will run approximately 20 miles to the south. The department suggests motorists use M-10 south, then merge onto M-8 east across Highland Park. From M-8, drivers can go north on Interstate 75 to return to I-696 East.
In addition to pavement replacement and the installation of new road markings and signage, work between the Lodge (M-10) and Interstate 75 will involve improving 60 bridges and replacing 1,100 drainage structures. MDOT will replace the Church Street Plaza bridge above Interstate 696 in Oak Park.
“MDOT recognizes that it is a big inconvenience to the almost 200,000 drivers a day to have more construction on such a major thoroughfare,” Cross said in an interview with The Detroit News, “but this freeway is decades old, and it’s time to replace it.”
Madison Heights Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Bliss and Southfield Mayor Ken Siver raised concerns about how their communities’ roadways would cope with the increase in traffic from the I-696 construction detour.
“I-696 is a key artery for the city,” Siver said. “Our residents and business community depend on this freeway.”
