I-696 road work: Next phase of closures explained
New round of closures announced as I-696 work moves into new phase
The next phase of the I-696 construction project in Oakland County starts soon, and with it comes more closures.
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Construction begins early next week on the next phase of the Restore the Reuther project on a main stretch of I-696 through Oakland County.
The eastbound side of I-696 between the Lodge and I-75 that has been closed since March is just about finished. Now, crews will switch westbound I-696 traffic through that stretch over to the eastbound side so they can work on the westbound lanes.
This construction will close five ramps until late 2026. Starting 5 a.m. Monday, the ramps to Couzens Avenue, Bermuda/Hilton Road, Coolidge Highway, Greenfield Road, and Evergreen Road will all close until late next year. Only four will be open: I-75, Woodward, Southfield, and Telegraph /the Lodge/Lahser.
One lane of westbound I-696 will also be closed for that stretch of things between the Lodge and I-75.
Now this weekend, crews will need to shut down a few things to prepare for all this construction. From 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, the entrance ramps to westbound I-696 will be closed from Couzens, Bermuda/Hilton, Woodward, Coolidge, Greenfield, Southfield, and Evergreen.
Then, from 4 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday, westbound I-696 between I-75 and Lahser will shut down completely. Both northbound and southbound ramps to I-75 will also be closed.
Did you get all that?
Next phase of I-696 construction starts soon
The next phase of the I-696 project in Oakland County is starting next week, and with it comes some ramp closures you need to know about.
Diane Cross MDOT spokesperson explained the changes.
"You are not going to be able to get onto westbound 696 starting at 9 o'clock tonight, from I-75 to M-10," she said. "Saturday morning at about 4 a.m., we are going to close 696 at 75.
From westbound 696 you are going to be forced onto northbound or southbound 75. Monday morning, no later than 5 a.m. we are going to open up the freeway, and westbound traffic coming under James Couzens we are going to shift you over, into a temporary two-lane that is then going to lead you onto the newly rebuilt eastbound side of 696.
"We are limiting the entrance and exit ramps to just Woodward, and Southfield Road."
I-696 ramps closing in Oakland County
Getting around Oakland County is about to get even more difficult, thanks to a project to rebuild a stretch of I-696.
What's next:
Looking ahead, the final phase of the Restore the Reuther project involves finishing up rebuilding I-696 next year. In 2027, major work will be done on I-696 between I-75 and Dequindre, including rebuilding drainage structures and bridge improvements.