Orange Barrel Alert! Portions Of I-96 To Be Closed This Weekend

As if the additional ArtPrize traffic downtown wasn't enough, it'll be tough to travel along I-96 from US 131 to Leonard this weekend.

The Lane Closures Will Start Early Friday And Last Through Monday

The eastbound lanes of I-96 will be shutdown from Friday, September 23 at 7:00pm until midnight on Sunday, September 25. Conversely, the westbound lanes will be closed from 5:00am on Sunday, September 25 until 5:00am Monday, September 26, just in time to avoid the Monday morning rush hour.

The closures will include the northbound and southbound ramps onto I-96 during those periods, as well as the on ramps from Plainfield Avenue onto I-96. The off ramps from I-96 onto eastbound and westbound Leonard Street will be closed as well.

Looking ahead, the eastbound lanes of I-96 from US 131 to Leonard Street will close again for ten days beginning at 7:00pm on Friday, September 30 until Monday, October 10.

More closures for both lanes of I-96 will be occurring until the project ends sometime in late November.

You can see the closure schedule for the preliminary rounds of closures now on the MDOT MI Drive Map.

According to MDOT, the improvements will include road resurfacing to "provide a safer and smoother driving surface and extend the service life of I-96."

I-196 Freeway Near Market Street To Experience Lane Closure This Weekend As Well

The westbound Ford Freeway (I-196) will experience lane closures this weekend beginning at the Market Street on and off ramps, which will be closed during that repaving project.