1 month since I-696 closure: Detours impacting local traffic, businesses

Oakland County commuters experiencing delays while businesses gain new patrons

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – It has been just over a month since the eastbound lanes of I-696 closed between the Lodge and I-75.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) suggests a 22-mile detour on nearby freeways, but many drivers are opting for adjacent roads as an alternative route. While the closure has posed challenges for drivers, it has also highlighted several local roads that run parallel to the freeway.

Craig Bryson of the Oakland County Road Commission noted that roads such as 10 Mile, 11 Mile, and 12 Mile have experienced increased traffic.

“I can tell you that 12 Mile, 11 Mile, and 10 Mile all have seen increases, but we’ve also seen increases on Big Beaver. We’ve seen increases at Telegraph and Long Lake, for example. So it really, as our traffic engineers describe it, it’s a wide net,” Bryson said.

To manage the increased traffic, Bryson’s team has been monitoring these roads and adjusting traffic signals to maintain a steady flow.

“We give a little bit more green time to one direction or the other and reduce the cross traffic green time a little bit to try to ease the congestion on the east-west streets,” he explained.

Dakota Hamlin, who works at Monarch Market Cafe in Huntington Woods, has noticed the impact of the extra traffic on his daily commute. “Getting home from here to Royal Oak has definitely added about 10 to 15 minutes on my five-minute drive,” he said.

Despite the delays, Hamlin sees a silver lining in the increased traffic. “A lot of new faces. A lot of new people who are interested in our product and what we carry here, like definitely becoming new regulars. We see their faces a lot more often,” he added.

However, while some local businesses may benefit from the increased foot traffic, the additional vehicles are taking a toll on the roads. Bryson pointed out that I-696 carries a significant amount of truck traffic, which is now spilling over onto local roads.

“That does more wear and tear on the roads than a passenger car does. So we’re seeing a little bit more of that. That means the pavement will wear out a little sooner,” he said.

For those using mile roads to navigate around I-696, be aware of a project starting on 12 Mile next week. Westbound traffic on 12 Mile will remain open, but eastbound lanes will close from Inkster Road to Autumn Ridge, just east of Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills. The Oakland County Road Commission will be working on resurfacing and safety enhancements, with work set to begin on Monday.

I-696 will remain closed until the end of 2026.


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