By: Brendan Losinski | C&G Newspapers | Published November 16, 2023
OAKLAND COUNTY — Overhead sign installation the weekend of Nov. 17-Nov. 19 will require closing lanes and ramps on I-96 in the Milford area as work continues on the I-96 Flex Route project in Oakland County.
The Michigan Department of Transportation said that several signs are being installed in preparation for restoring traffic back to its normal eastbound and westbound configuration for winter. After the holiday weekend, crews will finish pavement work in the median and will move the temporary barrier walls.
MDOT also said that early during December traffic will be down to one lane for pavement striping, depending on the weather. Once the striping is complete, traffic will be reopened to three lanes, along with all ramps reopened. Construction crews will return in March 2024 to rebuild westbound I-96.
Work on Friday, Nov. 17 will proceed from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Eastbound I-96 which will have one lane open from Kent Lake Road to Wixom Road for pavement marking. Ramp closures will include: eastbound I-96 to Kent Lake Road, the Kent Lake Road ramps to eastbound I-96, eastbound I-96 to Milford Road, the Milford Road ramps to eastbound I-96, and eastbound I-96 to Wixom Road.
Work on Saturday, Nov. 18 will proceed from 4 a.m. - noon. Eastbound I-96 will be closed from Novi Road to I-696 for overhead gantry sign installation. Ramp closures will include: Novi Road to eastbound I-96, eastbound I-96 to southbound I-275, eastbound I-96 to M-5, and the eastbound I-96 connecter to eastbound I-696. Traffic will be detoured via northbound Novi Road to eastbound 12 Mile Road, then southbound M-5 to eastbound I-696.
Additional work on eastbound I-96 will take place from 5 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 through 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19. Eastbound I-96 will have one lane open from Kent Lake to Wixom roads for pavement marking. Ramp closures will include: eEastbound I-96 to Kent Lake Road, Kent Lake Road to eastbound I-96, Eastbound I-96 to Milford Road, the Milford Road ramps to eastbound I-96, and eastbound I-96 to Wixom Road.
Funding for this project was provided by the Rebuilding Michigan program and was designated to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state's economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy was aimed at refurbishments that result in longer useful lives for infrastructure. MDOT reports that, based on economic modeling, this $269 million investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 3,416 jobs.
Up-to-date information on the I-96 Flex Route work is available at www.drivingoakland.org.