Preliminary prep work for the massive I-696 construction project in Macomb County will begin Monday.
Although the freeway will remain open, lane closures are expected to start in May.
Ten miles of a portion of westbound I-696, between I-94 and I-75 will be shut down. The official detour for drivers will be westbound I-94 into Detroit to reconnect with northbound I-75 back up to connect with WB I-696.
The closure will be in effect for almost all of 2018.
Warren Mayor Jim Fouts is requesting MDOT to allocate money for the additional cost of traffic. He also believes the project will lead to rat problems, and is asking MDOT to help pay for rodent control.
