Interstate 696

Route map:
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Interstate 696 marker

Interstate 696

Walter P. Reuther Freeway
Map
I-696 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-96
Maintained by MDOT
Length28.368 mi[3] (45.654 km)
Existed1963[1]–present
HistoryConstruction started in 1961 and completed December 15, 1989[1]
NHSEntire route
RestrictionsNo flammable or explosive cargo between M-10 and I-75[2]
Major junctions
West end I-96 / I-275 / M-5 in Farmington Hills
Major intersections
East end I-94 in St. Clair Shores
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountiesOakland, Macomb
Highway system
I-675 M-1

Interstate 696 (I-696) is an east–west

auto industry union head by the Michigan Legislature in 1971. I-696 is a bypass route, detouring around the city of Detroit through the city's northern suburbs in Oakland and Macomb counties. It starts by branching off I-96 and I-275 at its western terminus in Farmington Hills, and runs through suburbs including Southfield, Royal Oak and Warren before merging into I-94 at St. Clair Shores on the east end. It has eight lanes for most of its length and is approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of downtown Detroit. I-696 connects to other freeways such as I-75 (Chrysler Freeway) and M-10
(Lodge Freeway). Local residents sometimes refer to I-696 as "The Autobahn of Detroit".

Planning for the freeway started in the 1950s. Michigan state officials proposed the designation I-98, but this was not approved. Construction started on the first segment in 1961, and the Lodge Freeway was designated Business Spur Interstate 696 (BS I-696) the following year. The western third of the freeway opened in 1963, and the eastern third was completed in January 1979. The central segment was the subject of much controversy during the 1960s and 1970s. Various municipalities along this stretch argued over the routing of the freeway such that the governor locked several officials into a room overnight until they would agree to a routing. Later, various groups used federal environmental regulations to force changes to the freeway. The

Orthodox Jewish community in Oak Park was concerned about pedestrian access across the freeway; I-696 was built with a set of parks on overpasses to accommodate their needs. The Detroit Zoo
and the City of Detroit also fought components of the freeway design. These concessions delayed the completion of I-696 until December 15, 1989. Since completion, the speed limit was raised from 55 to 70 miles per hour (89 to 113 km/h). In addition, some interchanges were reconfigured in 2006.

Route description

See caption
Satellite image of the western terminus in Novi

I-696, which has been called "Detroit's

median of M-10 from northwest to southeast.[7][8] East of this interchange, cargo restrictions have been enacted for the next 10-mile-long (16 km) segment of I-696; no commercial vehicles may carry flammable or explosive loads;[2] the segment passes below grade and between retaining walls that are 20–25 feet (6.1–7.6 m) tall, which would hinder evacuation in the event of a fire. During construction in April 1989, vandals set a fire under one of the plazas, and officials were concerned about the intensity of the fire and the potential for a "horizontal towering inferno" along the freeway section once opened to traffic.[9]

Photograph of
View in one of the tunnels formed by the plazas over the freeway in Oak Park

After passing through the Mixing Bowl, I-696 follows 11 Mile Road, which forms a pair of

service drives for the main freeway. The Interstate passes through the city of Lathrup Village before turning southward and then easterly on an S-shaped path to run along 10 Mile Road.[7][8] This segment of freeway is known for its extensive use of retaining walls; three large landscaped plazas form short tunnels for freeway traffic near the Greenfield Road exit.[10] The freeway passes next to the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit as it passes under the third pedestrian plaza. The Interstate then picks up 10 Mile Road, which forms a pair of service drives, as the Reuther runs along the border between the cities of Oak Park and Huntington Woods. I-696 follows the southern edge of the Detroit Zoo. Immediately east of the zoo, the Interstate intersects M-1 (Woodward Avenue),[7][8] and crosses a line of the Canadian National Railway that also carries Amtrak passenger service between Detroit and Pontiac.[11]

Photograph showing an
Aerial view of the Detroit Zoo, I-696 and M-1 (Woodward Avenue)

East of the rail crossing, I-696 has a four-level

Lake St. Clair.[7][8]

Like other state highways in Michigan, I-696 is maintained by the

average 185,700 vehicles used the freeway daily east of I-75 and 38,100 vehicles did so each day in part of the Mixing Bowl, the highest and lowest counts along the highway, respectively.[12] As an Interstate Highway, all of I-696 is listed on the National Highway System,[13] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.[14]

History

Planning and initial construction

Detroit inset from the General Location of National System of Interstate Highways Including All Additional Routes at Urban Areas Designated in September 1955 (Yellow Book)
1955 planning map for Detroit's Interstate Highways

I-696 is part of the original Interstate Highway System as outlined in 1956–58.[15] As originally proposed by the

Michigan State Highway Department, the freeway would have been numbered I-98.[16] Construction started in 1961.[17] The Lodge Freeway, the first segment of which opened in 1957,[18] was given the Business Spur I-696 designation in 1962.[19][20] The first segment of I-696 built was the western third of the completed freeway which opened in 1963–1964 at a cost of $16.6 million (equivalent to $120 million in 2023[21]). This section ran from I-96 in Novi east to the Lodge Freeway in Southfield.[1] The then-unfinished freeway was named for Walter P. Reuther, former leader of the United Auto Workers labor union after he and his wife died in a plane crash on May 9, 1970. The next year the Michigan Legislature approved the naming by passing Senate Concurrent Resolution 57.[22]

In the late 1970s, during the second phase of construction, lobbying efforts and lawsuits attempted to block construction of the central section. If successful, the efforts would have left the freeway with a gap in the middle between the first (western) and second (eastern) phases of construction.[17] During this time, MDOT assigned M-6 to the eastern section of the freeway under construction. Signs were erected along the service roads that followed 11 Mile Road to connect the already built stack interchange at I-75 east to I-94.[23] By the time the eastern freeway segment was initially opened in January 1979 between I-94 and I-75, the signage for M-6 was removed and replaced with I-696 signage;[24] it cost $200 million (equivalent to $654 million in 2023[21]) to complete.[1] Later in 1979, a closure was scheduled to allow work to be completed on three of the segment's nine interchanges.[24]

Controversies over middle segment

July 1988 photograph showing the barricades directing traffic to divert off I-696 at the Mixing Bowl
Prior to the opening of the central portion of I-696 in the late 1980s, eastbound traffic in Southfield, as seen here in July 1988, was routed to southbound M-10 near the Telegraph Road exit (now exit 8); the once-abandoned portion of I-696 appears to the left.

The central section was the most controversial. Governor

James Blanchard was 15 years old and a high school sophomore in neighboring Pleasant Ridge when the freeway was proposed[25] and purchased a home in the area in 1972.[17] He joked during remarks at the dedication in 1989, "The unvarnished truth about this freeway? I wasn't even alive when it was first proposed,"[25] and added, "frankly, I never thought it would go through."[17] Total cost at completion for the entire freeway at the end of the 30-year project was $675 million (equivalent to $1.39 billion in 2023[21]).[26]

Arguments between local officials were so intense that during the 1960s, then-Governor George W. Romney once locked fighting bureaucrats in a community center until they would agree on a path for the freeway. During the 1970s, local groups used then-new environmental regulations to oppose the Interstate.[17] The freeway was noted in a Congressional subcommittee report on the "Major Interstate System Route Controversy in Urban Areas" for the controversies in 1970. Before 1967, local communities had to approve highway locations and designs, and the debates over I-696 prompted the passage of an arbitration statute. That statute was challenged by Pleasant Ridge and Lathrup Village before being upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court.[27] Lathrup Village later withdrew from a planning agreement in 1971; had that agreement been implemented, construction on the central section was scheduled to commence in 1974 and finish in 1976.[28]

Aerial photograph of the
Pedestrian plazas in Oak Park

The community of

Orthodox Jews in Oak Park wanted the freeway to pass to the north of their suburb. When this was deemed to be futile, the community asked for changes to the design that would mitigate the impact of the freeway to the pedestrian-dependent community. Final approval in 1981 of the freeway's alignment was contingent on these mitigation measures.[10] To address the community's unique needs, the state hired a rabbi to serve as a consultant on the project.[17] In addition, a series of landscaped plazas were incorporated into the design, forming the tunnels through which I-696 passes. These structures are a set of three 700-foot-wide (210 m) bridges that cross the freeway within a mile (1.6 km).[29] They allow members of the Jewish community to walk to synagogues on the Sabbath and other holidays[30] when Jewish law prohibits driving.[17] These plazas had their length limited; if they were longer, they would be considered tunnels that would require ventilation systems.[31]

The Detroit Zoo was concerned that noise and air pollution from the Interstate would disturb the animals. They were satisfied by $12 million (equivalent to $24.8 million in 2023

right-of-way by Detroit forced additional design and construction delays during the 1980s.[17]

One of the last obstacles to construction of the freeway was a wetlands area near Southfield. MDOT received a permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to destroy 6+12 acres (2.6 ha) of wetland and create a replacement 11-acre (4.5 ha) area. In the process, some prairie roses and wetlands milkweed were transplanted from the path of I-696 in 1987.[32] The final section of the eight-lane freeway opened at a cost of $436 million[1] (equivalent to $900 million in 2023[21]) on December 15, 1989. At the time, one caller to a Detroit radio show commented, "do you realize we have been to the moon and back in the time it has taken to get that road from Ferndale to Southfield?"[17]

Since completion

As part of the overall rehabilitation to the Mixing Bowl interchange, a new interchange at Franklin Road was to be constructed in 2006.[33] An exit ramp from I-696 eastbound to American Drive opened in April 2006. An entrance ramp from Franklin Road to I-696 westbound opened in July 2006. The Franklin Road overpass, which had been closed during this time, re-opened in October 2006.[34]

On November 9th 2006, the speed limit was increased from 65 to 70 mph (105 to 113 km/h) along the length of I-696.[5][35] During speed enforcement patrols in August 2022, the Michigan State Police gave out 77 citations during one 4-hour period including six arrests.[36] One motorist was driving at 101 mph (163 km/h), while others were cited at 99, 94, and 91 mph (159, 151, and 146 km/h).[37]

In 2023, MDOT started a complete reconstruction of I-696 from I-275 in Farmington Hills to US 24 (Telegraph Road) in Southfield. The eastbound lanes were reconstructed in 2023, and the westbound lanes will be reconstructed the following year.[38]

During the reconstruction of the westbound lanes in 2024, I-696 had two lanes shifted onto the John C Lodge Freeway resulting in a temporary concurrency. This is the first time in the history of the I-696 that a concurrency with the Lodge freeway had been in-place.[39]

Exit list

CountyLocationmi[3]kmExitDestinationsNotes
Grand River Avenue
)
Exits 163 and 165 on I-96
Farmington Hills4.570–
4.635
7.355–
7.459
5Orchard Lake Road
Southfield7.363–
7.489
11.850–
12.052
7American DriveEastbound exit and westbound entrance via Franklin Road
7.763–
8.241
12.493–
13.263
8

M-10 south (Lodge Freeway) to US 24 (Telegraph Road)
Eastbound exit and westbound entrance to M-10; eastbound exit and entrance to US 24; eastbound exit to Lahser Road via M-10 exit 16
10.04016.15810

M-10 north (Northwestern Highway) to US 24 (Telegraph Road) / Lahser Road
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance to M-10; westbound exit and entrance to US 24; westbound entrance from Lahser Road via M-10 exit 16
SouthfieldLathrup Village city line10.444–
11.300
16.808–
18.186
11Evergreen Road
Lathrup Village11.474–
12.359
18.466–
19.890
1211 Mile Road, Southfield Road
SouthfieldOak Park city line13.008–
13.646
20.934–
21.961
13Greenfield Road
Oak ParkHuntington Woods city line13.982–
14.824
22.502–
23.857
1410 Mile Road, Coolidge Highway, Detroit ZooDetroit Zoo signed eastbound only; 10 Mile Road signed westbound only
Pleasant RidgeRoyal Oak city line15.743–
16.692
25.336–
26.863
16 M-1 (Woodward Avenue) / Main Street – Detroit ZooDetroit Zoo signed westbound only
Royal Oak16.90927.21217Campbell Road, Hilton RoadEastbound exit and westbound entrance; Campbell Road becomes Hilton Road immediately south of exit
17.373–
17.378
27.959–
27.967
17Bermuda StreetWestbound exit and eastbound entrance
Detroit, Toledo
Exit 61 on I-75
Madison Heights18.647–
18.668
30.009–
30.043
19Couzens Avenue, 10 Mile RoadEastbound exit and westbound entrance
OaklandMacomb county lineMadison HeightsWarren city line19.258–
19.966
30.993–
32.132
20Dequindre Road, Ryan Road, John R RoadDequindre Road is the county line; Ryan Road signed eastbound only, John R Road signed westbound only
MacombWarren20.52333.0292111 Mile RoadWestbound exit and eastbound entrance
21.512–
22.340
34.620–
35.953
22Mound Road
Center LineWarren city line22.611–
23.160
36.389–
37.272
23 M-53 (Van Dyke Avenue) / Ryan RoadRyan Road signed westbound only
Warren23.666–
24.344
38.087–
39.178
24Hoover Road, Schoenherr RoadSchoenherr Road signed eastbound only
25.166–
26.259
40.501–
42.260
26 M-97 (Groesbeck Highway) / Schoenherr RoadSchoenherr Road signed westbound only
Roseville27.083–
27.771
43.586–
44.693
27 M-3 (Gratiot Avenue)
27.970–
27.991
45.013–
45.047
2811 Mile RoadEastbound exit and westbound entrance
Detroit, Port Huron
Exit 229 on I-94
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Related trunkline

Business Spur Interstate 696 marker

Business Spur Interstate 696

LocationDetroitSouthfield
Length17.538 mi[3] (28.225 km)
Existed1962[19][20]–1970[40][41]

Business Spur Interstate 696 (BS I-696) was the designation given to the Lodge Freeway in the Detroit area in 1962.[19][20] This 17+12-mile-long (28.2 km) freeway was renumbered as part of US 10 in 1970, when that highway designation was shifted off Woodward Avenue.[40][41]

See also

  •  
    Michigan Highways portal

References

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  4. ^ Edmonds.com Editors (November 1998). "Long-Term Test: 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle". Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
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  7. ^ .
  8. ^ a b c d e f Google (July 13, 2012). "Overview Map of I-696" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  9. ^ Gillmorn, Dan (August 10, 1989). "Hazardous Load Ban Affects Section of I-696". JOC.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Center for Urban Transportation Research (2000). "Community Cohesion: Oak Park, Michigan". Community Impact Assessment. University of South Florida. Archived from the original on May 25, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Michigan Department of Transportation (January 2011). Michigan's Railroad System (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  12. ^ Bureau of Transportation Planning (2008). "Traffic Monitoring Information System". Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  13. ^ Michigan Department of Transportation (April 23, 2006). National Highway System, Michigan (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  14. ^ Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 20, 2012). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  15. OCLC 4165975. Retrieved July 13, 2012 – via Wikimedia Commons
    .
  16. Michigan State Highway Department (April 25, 1958). Recommended Interstate Route Numbering for Michigan (Report). Michigan State Highway Department. Archived from the original
    on August 5, 2004. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  17. ^ from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  18. .
  19. ^ . Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  20. ^ . Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  21. ^
    Gross Domestic Product deflator
    figures follow the Measuring Worth series.
  22. .
  23. .
  24. ^
    OCLC 36134862. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2011 – via Google News
    .
  25. ^ from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  26. .
  27. from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  28. from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2012 – via Google News.
  29. ^ Stebbins, Win & Eustice, Mike (March 2006). "I-696: Three Pedestrian Plazas Over Freeway" (PDF). MDOT Context Sensitive Solutions Case Study: Metro Region. Michigan Department of Transportation. p. B1-17. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  30. ^ Naber, MaryAnn (November 1, 2006). "Final List of Nationally and Exceptionally Significant Features of the Federal Interstate Highway System" (PDF). Historic Preservation: Interstate Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 5, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  31. OCLC 15217591
    .
  32. from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2013 – via Google News.
  33. ^ Kalousdian, Aram (January 7, 2006). "Michigan Construction Will Increase". Michigan Contractor and Builder. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  34. ^ Oakland Transportation Service Center (March 22, 2006). "I-696/M-10 Reconstruction from Lahser Road to Beck Road (Project brochure)" (PDF). Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2006. Retrieved May 30, 2006.
  35. from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2012 – via ProQuest Archiver.
  36. ^ Powers, Sara (August 31, 2022). "MSP Give Out 77 Tickets During I-696 Speed Enforcement". CBS Detroit. Southfield, Michigan: WWJ-TV. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  37. WWJ-AM
    . August 30, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  38. ^ "Major Construction Project on I-696 Kicks Off Tomorrow: Here Are the Closures". Detroit: WXYZ-TV. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  39. ^ Kelly, Dane (February 19, 2024). "I-696 traffic shift in Oakland County now active through fall: What to know". WDIV. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  40. ^
    OCLC 12701120
    .
  41. ^ .

External links

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