Crews will conduct I-94 bridge work at Woodward this weekend; prepare for closures

click to enlarge Rendering of the M-1 Rail streetcar project, which will include a 3.3-mile line between Grand Boulevard and Larned. - Courtesy of M-1 Rail
Courtesy of M-1 Rail
Rendering of the M-1 Rail streetcar project, which will include a 3.3-mile line between Grand Boulevard and Larned.

Motorists will have a stressful time driving along the I-94 corridor this weekend, following Wednesday's fuel tanker eruption on the freeway near Wyoming Avenue.

Eastbound lanes on I-94 will remain closed from the Southfield Freeway to I-96 through the weekend because of Wednesday's accident, which, surprisingly, has no reported injuries. 

Beyond that, MDOT will begin work on I-94 near Warren Avenue starting at 9 p.m. Friday between I-75 and the Lodge Freeway. That work is connected to construction of the M-1 Rail streetcar project. During that closure, westbound I-94 drivers will be shifted onto southbound I-75, to westbound I-96, and back onto westbound I-94. Those heading eastbound will be directed to eastbound I-96, followed by northbound I-75, then back onto eastbound I-94. M-1 Rail says one lane will stay open for local traffic on eastbound I-94 from I-96 to the Lodge. North and southbound M-10 ramps to westbound I-94 will remain open.

Following this weekend's M-1 Rail work, one lane on Woodward Avenue will remain open in each direction over the freeway, including a center turn lane. The John R. entrance ramps — east and westbound — to I-94 will continue to be closed. 

The I-94 bridge replacement to make way for the streetcar includes 10 beams to support a new concrete bridge deck. 

That's not all: the Michigan Department of Transportation will continue work at the I-94/I-75 interchange this weekend, bringing 10 temporary bridge supports at northbound and southbound I-75 under eastbound I-94 ramp, after deteriorating concrete was discovered. 

For that endeavor, which will continue until March 19, the left lane of northbound and southbound I-75 will be closed, with occasional closures of the second left lane during non-peak hours, according to MDOT. 

So, take a deep breath when you get behind the wheel this weekend. You'll need it. 

About The Author

Ryan Felton

Ryan Felton was born in 1990 and spent the majority of his childhood growing up in Livonia. In 2009, after a short stint at Eastern Michigan University, he moved to Detroit where he has remained ever since. After graduating from Wayne State University’s journalism program, he went on to work as a staff writer...
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