- story by Wayne Peal, the Detroit Free Press

"It's a go," said Michigan Department of Transportation project engineer Jim Daavettila. "The project is already authorized and doesn't depend on the May 5 sales tax vote."

I-96 was built during the 1960s, and MDOT officials said the current interchange isn't geared for today's higher freeway speeds.  The interchange is noted for semi-truck rollovers and has been flagged as a caution zone by many national trucking companies.

 

Those traveling south on U.S.-23 eventually will be diverted along Spencer Road while those heading north will be diverted along Kensington Road as new overpasses are built.

I-96 / US-23 Interchange History and Plans now in progress

More details are available here on the MDOT website.

MLive: Transformation underway for I-96 interchange with U.S. 23 - Ben Freed

The two-year project--expected to cost approximately $75 million--will add four new lanes to I-96 in an effort to increase safety and expedience. It will also involve the repair of six bridges and the reconstruction of three new ones.

 

The new "express" lanes will be constructed during the summer and fall of 2015 while traffic remains on the existing lanes of I-96. The construction will also include three new bridges to carry the lanes over U.S. 23.

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