Commuters who use westbound I-696 through Royal Oak and the surrounding area are expected to regain access to most ramps Monday, Oct. 12, following a weekend freeway shutdown tied to the state's Restore the Reuther reconstruction project.

According to a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) schedule reported by WHMI, westbound I-696 ramps at I-75, Campbell/Hilton/Bermuda/Mohawk, Woodward (on-ramp only), Coolidge, Greenfield, Southfield, Evergreen, Lahser and US-24/Telegraph are scheduled to be open at 5 a.m. that day.

One exception: the Woodward Avenue off-ramp from westbound I-696 is scheduled to reopen Saturday, Oct. 17, while crews finish resurfacing the westbound 10 Mile Service Drive, according to WHMI.

Weekend closure first

Before the ramps reopen, drivers should expect a full shutdown. Westbound I-696 between I-75 and M-10 is scheduled to close at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, through 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12. FOX 2 Detroit reported, citing MDOT, that the closure is needed to shift westbound traffic back onto its original, newly reconstructed side. All entrance and exit ramps in that stretch will also close during the shift.

The posted detour routes westbound I-696 traffic to southbound I-75, then westbound M-8/Davison, then northbound M-10/Lodge.

Eastbound lanes still closed

Eastbound I-696 between M-10 and I-75 remains closed and detoured while crossover work continues. It is expected to reopen before the end of 2026, according to WHMI. That detour sends drivers from southbound M-10 to eastbound M-8 (Davison) to northbound I-75, according to the DrivingOakland.com project page.

The Church Street Plaza bridge over I-696, which includes Victoria Park, also remains closed through late 2026 as part of the rebuild, according to the project page.

What comes next

This phase of the Restore the Reuther project includes rebuilding I-696 from Lahser Road to I-75 and work on bridges, including replacement of the Church Street Plaza bridge, drainage upgrades, new lighting and modernized traffic signals, according to the project overview. MDOT announced closures beginning Feb. 28, 2026, for specific ramps at the I-696/I-75 interchange.

In 2027, MDOT plans additional construction on I-696 between I-75 and Dequindre Road. The freeway will remain open during that work, according to WHMI.

Drivers can check current closure updates at DrivingOakland.com or find statewide construction information at Michigan.gov/drive.