(WXYZ) — Metro Detroit drivers hoping for relief from the 2025 construction season will need to keep their patience well into 2026, as several of the region’s largest infrastructure projects continue — and new ones begin.
This past year has already brought major frustrations, from the closure of eastbound I-696 in Oakland County to congestion across I-96, M-14, and I-275. While some projects will pause for the winter, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is preparing for another intense construction year.
On Monday, three ramps at the Southfield Freeway and I-94 shut down and will remain closed until December:
Drivers have already voiced frustration. “We’re used to it, you know, we just are, it’s construction season,” said Luann Houser.
“Real bad, real bad, coming from Ann Arbor, it was a mess,” added Dearborn resident Michael Ghrist.
“I know what they are trying to do right now, is trying to fix the roads but, it definitely, you know, puts a hassle on everybody trying to get around,” Thomas Gray said.
Beginning in 2026, work will expand on I-94 between I-275 and Michigan Avenue, directly impacting travelers heading to and from Detroit Metro Airport. The $350 million project, slated to last through 2029, will include significant lane closures, making it one of the region’s largest ongoing infrastructure efforts.
Another major 2026 project is the $70 million reconstruction of Michigan Avenue in Corktown, stretching from Cass Avenue to I-96. The plan will replace deteriorating pavement and remove historic bricks.
“Michigan Avenue is getting older, and the more you delay the older it gets the more expensive it gets, so we want to get this project moving,” MDOT spokesperson Rob Morosi explained.
While some bricks will be removed, those in good condition will be salvaged and reused in sidewalks and crosswalks along the corridor, ensuring a nod to the historic character of Corktown even as the road is modernized.
Several projects from 2025 will also extend into next year, including:
Three lanes will temporarily reopen during colder weather, but westbound lane reconstruction will resume in 2026, with most work wrapping up by the end of the season.
Four bridge decks are under reconstruction. Overnight and weekend lane closures will continue until project completion in 2026.
Eastbound lanes between M-10 and I-275 remain closed and are only 37% complete, according to MDOT. Full reopening is not expected until November 2026.
Altogether, metro Detroit drivers face years of staggered closures, lane reductions, and detours. While frustrations are running high, MDOT insists the long-term improvements will lead to smoother commutes, enhanced safety, and infrastructure built to last for decades.
With over $420 million in new and ongoing projects lined up, 2026 will mark another defining year for Detroit’s infrastructure overhaul — one that challenges drivers in the short term but aims to revitalize the region’s busiest roadways for the future.
Originally reported by Ali Hoxie in WXYZ Detroit.
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