MDOT begins emergency pavement repairs along I-696, I-75

MDOT is taking care of some emergency pavement repairs to improve the road's crumbling surface along I-696 and I-75 Tuesday throughout the day. 

Work will take place scattered throughout eastbound I-696 in Macomb and Oakland counties, and along southbound I-75 ffrom 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Work will take place along I-696 from Dequindre to Ryan, and then from US-24 to Lahser. Work will take place on I-75 from Coolidge to Square Lake. Lanes will be closed intermittently throughout the day. US-24 from Orchard Lake to Square Lake will also see lane closures throughout the day. 

Weather was key in deciding with MDOT will begin these emergency repairs. They need dry conditions to lay out the material, which is normally used only in the warmer months. 

Safety concerns grow for I-696 drivers after another shattered windshield

Just last month, loose concrete came crashing through the windshields of two different cars. Neither driver was injured, but last spring one woman was critically injured when concrete came through her windshield.

"We all drive 696 and we just were heartbroken that this happened. It's so scary. And, so, we are going to be starting a project," MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross said.

MDOT will be spending about $5 million for these emergency repairs until the already-planned construction project begins this spring. 

Come late April or early May, MDOT will shut down the westbound lanes of I-696 from I-75 to I-94 to completely replace the concrete. 

The $90 million project has to be completed while funding is available and before MDOT widens I-75 near 10 mile. That's a part of the I-75 modernization project, which aims to fatten the freeway from 8 Mile to just south of M-59.

Looming I-696 closure in Macomb County concerning drivers

If this 696 project is put on hold, MDOT may not be able to work on the freeway until 2024.

The big project isn't expected to clear up until late 2018.