Detour: Part of I-75 near Detroit to close for two years

If your driving takes you on I-75 in and around Detroit, be aware that starting in February, your travels could become more complicated for the next two years.

Starting Feb. 4, southbound lanes of I-75 will be closed south of Detroit to rebuild part of the bridge over the Rouge River, which was built in 1967. The $165 million project includes repairs and/or replacement of several other bridges along I-75.

The northbound lanes of I-75 will remain open at all times during construction.

However, there will be detours for those traveling south. The posted detour for commercial vehicles will include southbound I-75 to westbound I-96, then southbound I-275 to southbound I-75 in Monroe.

Drivers will see warning signs posted in advance of the project saying, “South 75 exit 45 to 37 will close in early 2017.”

You can find more details and keep track of the project on MDOT’s website.

The project includes:

• Removing and replacing the concrete surface on the I-75 Rouge River Bridge, the bridge with the largest concrete surface area in Michigan.
• Removing and replacing the concrete surface on the two Dearborn Street ramp bridges adjacent to the Rouge River Bridge, as well as at the Fort Street bridge just north of the Rouge River Bridge.
• Removing and replacing the bridges carrying I-75 over Goddard Road and the drain north of Goddard Road.
• Overhauling 13 other bridges along I-75 through the Downriver communities.
• Adding intelligent transportation system (ITS) equipment, which includes electronic signs, cameras, and traffic information gathering equipment to help MDOT communicate to drivers about travel times, safety, and mobility issues.
• Pavement patching on northbound and southbound I-75 between the Rouge River and Goddard Road.