I-696 Project (Restore the Reuther)

We will begin restoring normal traffic operations now that work has progressed enough to safely reopen I-696 to traffic in Macomb County. Both EB and WB I-696 are expected to be fully reopened by Monday, January 7^th. To allow that to happen, the following will transpire:

Wednesday, Jan. 2^nd from 9am to 3pm:

• Only two lanes of EB I-696 will be open
• NB and SB I-75 ramps to EB I-696 will be closed
• EB I-696 exits to Dequindre Rd, Mound Rd, and M-97 (Groesbeck Hwy) will intermittently close

Wednesday, Jan 2^nd after 3pm:

• EB I-696 traffic will be back on the EB lanes
• All exit ramps between I-75 and I-94 will be open
• Entrance ramps will begin opening from west to east (the 11 Mile Rd ramp and the NB/SB Mound Rd ramps to EB I-696 will remain closed for a few more days)
• Crews will begin removing temporary traffic control devices to open the third and fourth lanes on EB I-696

Thursday, Jan. 3^rd through Monday, Jan. 7^th:

• Crews will begin preparing WB I-696 to return to normal traffic operations
• Pavement markings will be replaced
• Temporary traffic control devices will be removed
• Double lane closures on EB and WB I-94 will be required as WB I-696 is reopened

Not all work is complete, though we must execute this traffic switch now before any major winter weather moves in. A few of the items left to do in the Spring of 2019 include: completion of the EB median shoulders, median barrier wall repairs, pavement grinding for ride quality, final turf/slope restoration, and permanent pavement markings. This work will be completed under intermittent lane closures. No long-term full freeway closures are expected. It should be noted that the items listed here are limited to work on the freeway as work on the service drives will begin in the spring as well.