Michigan Shifts I-94 Traffic to Westbound Lanes
Crews are rebuilding the westbound lanes of I-94 between Wayne Road and Oakwood Boulevard, with the traffic shift remaining in place through late summer 2027.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The Michigan Department of Transportation has shifted I-94 traffic to the westbound lanes between Wayne Road and Oakwood Boulevard. Eastbound I-696 is set to reopen between M-10 and I-75 before the end of 2026.
Why it matters
The lane shift affects commuters across Michigan's Wayne and Oakland counties as crews rebuild the westbound lanes. Preliminary work and a full reconstruction of I-94 between 8 Mile and 11 Mile are also planned, extending construction impacts into 2028.
The lane-shift plan is a construction schedule from the state transportation department, and a local business owner reports added commute time of 15 to 20 minutes. Eventually traffic will shift to the eastbound side of I-94 to rebuild the westbound lanes, but the source does not give a date for that step.
The players
Michigan Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for planning, building, and maintaining Michigan's highway system, including the I-94 and I-696 projects.
The details
Traffic on I-94 shifts to the westbound lanes between Wayne Road and Oakwood Boulevard while crews rebuild that side of the highway. Single-lane closures occur in Detroit between 2nd Avenue, west of I-75, and Conner, and ramps from eastbound Davison to northbound and southbound I-75 close for a couple of months.
Timeline
Through winter 2026-27: I-94 westbound traffic shift remains in place.
Before the end of 2026: Eastbound I-696 reopens between M-10 and I-75.
2027 through late summer: I-696 lane restrictions and a few weekend closures for pavement and bridge work.
Late summer 2027: The I-94 westbound traffic shift is scheduled to end.
2028: Full reconstruction of I-94 between 8 Mile and 11 Mile in Macomb County.
Roadmap
The I-94 and I-696 projects extend the Michigan Department of Transportation's multi-year freeway reconstruction program across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. The work runs from 2026 into a planned 2028 reconstruction of I-94 between 8 Mile and 11 Mile.
Drivers on I-94 between Wayne Road and Oakwood Boulevard should expect lane shifts and a commute that a local business owner says is 15 to 20 minutes longer. Those using the Davison ramps to I-75 in Detroit will face closures for a couple of months, so plan alternate routes.
The takeaway
Major Michigan highway work will stretch from late 2026 into 2028, so drivers who rely on I-94 and I-696 should build extra time into their commutes.
What happens next
The eastbound I-696 reopening is expected before the end of 2026, and the I-94 westbound traffic shift is scheduled to end in late summer 2027.
Further reading
For related coverage of large-scale rebuilding projects, see Home Renovation in our Michigan lifestyle section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WXYZ 7 News Detroit.
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