I-96 To Fully Close Beginning Saturday, April 5
DETROIT (WWJ) - If your commute includes I-96, be prepared: The freeway will be completely closed in Wayne County between Newburgh and Telegraph roads starting Saturday, April 5.
The Michigan Department of Transportation announced a 7 Mile stretch of the freeway, from Livonia through Redford Township, will remain closed until October.
The I-96 service drive will remain open in both directions, but with a single lane closed, beginning at 7 p.m. in advance of the freeway closure. Ramps will also begin closing at that time.
Detours will be posted, with several alternate routes are available. [GET DETOUR INFO]
MDOT is encouraging commuters to consider public transportation options, too, including the DDOT bus, SMART bus, and MichiVan Vanpooling. [GET DETAILS]
The following bridges are scheduled to close April 5. (Estimated reopen dates in parenthesis subject to change):
U-turn bridge west of Newburgh (October)
U-turn bridge east of Newburgh (late April)
Wayne Road (early June)
U-turn bridge west of Farmington Road (mid-April)
U-turn bridge east of Farmington Road (mid-April)
Warner Court (mid-June)
U-turn bridge west of Middlebelt Road (late May)
U-turn bridge east of Middlebelt Road (mid-June)
U-turn bridge west of Inkster Road (mid-May)
U-turn bridge east of Inkster Road (mid-May)
Berwyn Avenue (mid-May)
Garfield (mid-May)
Northbound US-24 service drive (mid-May)
The closure is part of a $148 million to completely rebuild I-96 between Newburgh and Telegraph roads, which was originally constructed in 1971. This project will reconstruct the pavement, upgrade 37 overpasses, replace the drainage system and greatly improve the safety of the freeway. Aesthetic improvements are included as well, such as native plantings and new fencing.
You can follow updates on the project online at this link. Also, on Twitter here and on Facebook.
For the latest from the roads, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 during Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24-hours a day. Check for recent incidents now on the CBS Detroit Traffic Page.
