Traffic Crash Closes Southbound I-275 Near Livonia

Accident snarls morning commute, with highway closure lasting over 2 hours

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A traffic accident on southbound Interstate 275 early Thursday morning resulted in a complete highway closure between Seven Mile Road and Eight Mile Road in the Livonia area of Metro Detroit. The crash occurred around 4 a.m., leading to a lengthy backup on the highway and a suggested detour for drivers to re-enter I-275 at Seven Mile Road.

Why it matters

Interstate 275 is a major thoroughfare connecting Detroit's suburbs, and a closure of this magnitude can significantly disrupt the morning commute for thousands of drivers in the region. Traffic incidents on this highway are common but can still cause major delays, especially during peak travel times.

The details

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, the crash happened around 3:56 a.m. on southbound I-275 between the Seven Mile Road and Eight Mile Road exits. By 5:45 a.m., over a dozen police and emergency vehicles were on the scene, and the traffic backup had reached as far north as the I-696 junction in Novi. The highway remained completely closed as of 6:02 a.m., and details about the cause of the crash or when the road would reopen were not yet available.

  • The crash occurred around 3:56 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • The highway closure was still in effect as of 6:02 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Michigan Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for managing Michigan's highway system, including providing real-time traffic updates and coordinating emergency response to incidents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

MDOT has not provided an estimated time for when the southbound lanes of I-275 will reopen, but they are advising drivers to use alternate routes or expect significant delays during the morning commute.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of having reliable, up-to-date traffic information and the ability to quickly respond to crashes on major highways in order to minimize disruptions to the daily commute for thousands of drivers in the Detroit metropolitan area.