Detroit Free Press staff

Drivers heading Downriver next year are in for a major headache.

Starting early next year, all southbound lanes of I-75 will shut down from Detroit to Brownstown Township until 2018 as the state begins a two-year, $165-million reconstruction project that includes resurfacing the sprawling Rouge River bridge, notorious for its gaping potholes and crumbling pavement.

An exact date hasn't been announced, but the I-75 Rouge River Detroit-Downriver Connection project is expected to begin early in 2017, affecting Detroit, Melvindale, River Rouge, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Taylor, Southgate and Brownstown Township. Details are expected to be released Monday.

Officials consider the Rouge Bridge deck to be in "poor condition." Earlier this year, a pothole measuring 15 feet by 6 feet opened in the deck, causing traffic backups for miles while crews worked to repair the issue.

Southbound I-75 will be closed and detoured while northbound I-75 will remain open at all times. 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.

Passenger vehicle alternate route options include I-94, M-85 (Fort Street), Jefferson Avenue and Dix Highway.

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.



