A 10-day closure along westbound I-696 kicked off Friday night so crews can safely demolish the Church St. overpass in Oak Park.
WATCH: 10-day closure of WB I-696 between I075 & Lahser begins Friday night
Westbound I-696 closed from I-75 to Lahser at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 9 and it will last until 5 a.m. on Monday, May 19.
WATCH: Chopper video over I-696 construction
The detour for the project will be southbound on I-75 to westbound on M-8, then northbound on M-10, and finally back to westbound on I-696.
Ali Hoxie explains the detour:
There will be one local westbound lane open that has access to Bermuda St., Woodward Ave., and Coolidge Highway.
"If it means better highways and no potholes, I guess. I mean, what am I going to do? They’re going to do it regardless of what I say. So, just make the best of what we can and take some different routes," Nick McNee, an Oak Park resident, said.
Watch Simon Shaykhet's report with drivers who take I-696:
Drivers we talked to say they want better roads, but the construction can feel overwhelming at times.
“Pleasant Ridge. Ferndale. Huntington Woods, Royal Oak each have to find different ways to get from point A to point B," says driver Joseph Reynolds. "People trying to get to their destination have to plan accordingly.”
Business owner and customer Jordan Dehko says the work will disrupt supply chains in a big way.
“Business get affected taking deliveries," Dehko says. "From trucks they need or supplied. Customers coming in.”
