DETROIT – I-96, which has been closed since April, has reopened ahead of schedule. Governor Rick Snyder made the announcement at Family Fun Day on the freeway Sunday. The closed portion of the freeway stretches seven miles long.

The stretch runs between Telegraph Road and Newburgh Road near I-275. The work included rebuilding 56 lane miles of freeway, repairing 37 bridges, reconstructing 26 ramps, new lights and new utilities. The project area runs through the Redford Township and Livonia communities.

"Reconstructing I-96 addressed our state's infrastructure needs that were critical to our future and our continued comeback," Gov. Snyder said. "Congratulations to MDOT and the construction team who collaborated and used new innovations to complete this project ahead of schedule and on-budget. I also want to extend thanks to area residents for their patience during the construction."

Local residents and businesses voted to close the freeway in order to get work done more quickly and at a lower cost instead of partially closing the freeway, which would have lasted two to three years and would have been more expensive.

The project was expected to last until mid-October, and was finished about a month early.

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