WARREN (WWJ) - Don't get your hopes up, commuters. Officials say a new end date for the I-696 construction project in Macomb County that appears online doesn't mean much.

The Michigan Department of Transportation website on Monday showed a projected Dec. 19 completion date for the massive "Restore the Reuther" project, which has had the westbound 696 in Macomb County completely closed from I-94 to Dequindre Rd. since mid-April.

After local media reported the new date on Monday, MDOT officials later clarified that it's far from final.

"The date was just placed to keep the project showing on MiDrive," MDOT spokeswoman Diane Cross said, in a statement. "That is a very, very, very, very rough estimate. We are working with the weather to get as much done as we can and weather will determine when it reopens."

She added, "We are not announcing any reopening date."

After rain and a work stoppage delayed the project, MDOT said that forward progress continues on work in Macomb County despite the weather.

So where does the project stand now?

New concrete pavement is being placed every day that weather allows, MDOT said Monday, with "safety and quality still top priorities."

"We are days away from completing the first two lanes of pavement between Dequindre Rd and I-94. The ramps, shoulders and curb and gutters are being placed concurrently. Placement of the inside lanes will begin shortly and is expected to extend into the month of December," MDOT officials said.

"Measures are in place to allow work to continue in colder temperatures, and we are prepared to protect the new pavement from the elements as winter approaches. We expect to reopen both EB and WB I-696 and all ramps this year."

If weather precludes all permanent work from being completed, MDOT said temporary work will be done to safely open the roadway and any remaining work will be completed in the Spring of 2019.

In traffic access news, the EB I-696 exit to M-97 (Groesbeck Hwy) is scheduled to reopen later this week. Exits to Dequindre Rd, Mound Rd, 11 Mile Rd and M-53 (Van Dyke Ave) by way of a temporary ramp off the Mound Rd exit, remain open.

There's a bright spot in Oakland County. Concrete pavement repair work wrapped up this past weekend, according to MDOT officials, which means no more full closures of I-696.

Some joint repair work and drainage improvement work remains to be completed, but this will generally be completed under lane closures at night and on weekends. It should be noted that there are currently short term single lane closures in place for other necessary work.

Check Michigan.gov/drive for all project details and keep your radio tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest roadwork updates during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s, 24 hours-a-day.