RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Oakland County   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

June 26, 2023

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Oakland County   

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road and bridge repair projects this week on I-696 in Oakland County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 3,500 jobs.  

“Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to drive economic activity, help Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands safely,” said Governor Whitmer. “Through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired, or replaced nearly 20,000 lane miles of state-owned roads and 1,400 bridges since I took office, supporting 89,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done.”     

I-696 in Oakland County  

The I-696 Restore the Reuther Rebuilding Michigan project is moving forward with the following projects:

Bridge beam replacement over the Rouge River eastbound I-696 at M-10.
Culvert installation near the northbound Orchard Lake ramp to eastbound I-696.

Rebuilding the eastbound I-696 ramp to southbound M-10.

Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 3,500 jobs. 

This $275 million project includes rebuilding the roadway from the base up, including storm sewer replacement work, and rebuilding ramps at Orchard Lake Road, American Drive, Franklin Road, and US-24 (Telegraph Road).

During the 2023 construction season, eastbound I-696 is being rebuilt from I-275 to east of US-24 (Telegraph Road). Westbound lanes will be rebuilt in 2024.

"The continuation of these much-needed infrastructure repairs to I-696 is critical for our district and surrounding communities,” said state Senator Mary Cavanagh (D- Redford Twp). “Transforming this highly traveled route is an incredible investment in our community that benefits every commuter and visitor to the metro Detroit region.”

“This is exciting news for Oakland County,” said state Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield). “These investments will deliver on much needed infrastructure improvements, which not only makes for a safer commute, but puts us on the road to more jobs in the 18th District.”

County:	Oakland
Highway:	I-696
Closest city:	Farmington Hills
Start date:	Eastbound I-696 at M-10 project – Thursday, June 29 Northbound Orchard Lake ramp to eastbound I-696 project – Monday, June 26 Eastbound I-696 ramp to southbound M-10 project – Wednesday, July 5.
Estimated end date:	Eastbound I-696 at M-10 project – Friday, June 30 Northbound Orchard Lake ramp to eastbound I-696 project – Friday, June 30 Eastbound I-696 ramp to southbound M-10 project – Late July.
Traffic restrictions:	Eastbound I-696 at M-10 for bridge beam replacement over the Rouge River 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, and 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, - 5 a.m. Friday, June 30. Eastbound I-696 traffic will be detoured onto southbound M-10 to eastbound I-696. The Northbound Orchard Lake ramp to eastbound I-696 will be closed 7 a.m. Monday, June 26 - 3 p.m. Friday, June 30, for culvert installation. Northbound Orchard Lake traffic traveling to eastbound I-696 will be detoured north on Orchard Lake to eastbound 12 Mile Road, then southbound M-10 (Northwestern Highway) to eastbound I-696. The eastbound I-696 ramp to southbound M-10 will be closed 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 5 - late July for ramp rebuilding. Eastbound I-696 traffic traveling to southbound M-10 will be detoured via eastbound M-5 to eastbound M-102 (8 Mile Road), then northbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) to M-10.
Safety benefit:	This project will increase safety and improve the ride quality.

Funding for this project is made possible by Governor Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state's economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improve the condition of the state's infrastructure. 

  MDOT

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and Bridges    

By the end of this construction season, Michigan will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of state-owned roads and 1,400 bridges. Governor Whitmer is focused on rebuilding our roads and bridges with the right mix and materials, so they stay fixed, supporting 89,000 good-paying construction jobs along the way.  

These and future repairs are made possible by the Rebuilding Michigan plan, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment in our highways and bridges, and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan, the largest one-time investment in Michigan's infrastructure in state history. These strategic investments in Michigan's infrastructure ensure that future Michiganders will have safer roads and bridges to run errands, travel, and strengthen the economy.   

Learn more about the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration’s historic infrastructure investments by clicking on the following link: Infrastructure Accomplishments.   

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