Major Road Construction Snarls Traffic in Royal Oak

10 Mile Road closure near Woodward Avenue causes long commute delays for drivers

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:19pm

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An abstract, colorful image depicting the motion blur of cars stuck in heavy traffic on 10 Mile Road, conveying the sense of congestion and disruption caused by the construction project.Commuters face lengthy delays as construction snarls traffic on a key Royal Oak thoroughfare.Today in Detroit

Drivers in Royal Oak, Michigan are facing significant traffic congestion and longer commute times this week due to road construction on 10 Mile Road near Woodward Avenue. The construction is part of a larger Michigan Department of Transportation project to repair bridges on I-696, forcing the closure of several lanes on 10 Mile Road and creating a 'traffic nightmare' for local residents.

Why it matters

The 10 Mile Road corridor is a heavily traveled route, and the lane closures have resulted in bumper-to-bumper traffic and commute times doubling or tripling during rush hour. This disruption highlights the challenges cities face when major infrastructure projects coincide with high-traffic areas, and the importance of effective communication and planning to minimize the impact on local drivers.

The details

The construction work on 10 Mile Road is not a Royal Oak project, but rather part of MDOT's larger I-696 Restore the Reuther project. Crews are repairing bridges on the service drives along I-696 at the Woodward Avenue interchange, requiring the closure of several lanes on 10 Mile Road. Currently, only the right turn lane and one through lane remain open, causing significant backups for commuters.

  • The construction project began in early April 2026 and is expected to last through the end of May 2026.
  • MDOT plans to open a second through lane on 10 Mile Road when weather permits, which they expect will help ease the traffic congestion.
  • In late May 2026, MDOT will also close the westbound I-696 ramp to Woodward, further impacting traffic in the area.

The players

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

The state transportation agency responsible for the I-696 Restore the Reuther project, which includes the 10 Mile Road construction in Royal Oak.

Diane Cross

MDOT spokesperson who provided details on the construction project and plans to alleviate the traffic issues.

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What they’re saying

“Crazy because everything is closed. It just takes more time, and you gotta know where you can go and where you can't go.”

— Louise, Huntington Woods resident

“For me, it's 25-30 (minutes) that way, and it's close to an hour coming back, and you factor in rush hour, it can be even longer.”

— Jeremy, Royal Oak resident

“It's an inconvenience that's for sure, and I'll definitely be happy when it's over.”

— Paul Gaughan, Ferndale resident

What’s next

MDOT plans to open a second through lane on 10 Mile Road when weather permits, which they expect will help ease the traffic congestion. In late May 2026, MDOT will also close the westbound I-696 ramp to Woodward, further impacting traffic in the area.

The takeaway

This construction project highlights the challenges cities face when major infrastructure work coincides with heavily trafficked areas. While necessary for long-term improvements, the short-term impact on commuters can be significant, underscoring the need for effective communication, planning, and mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions to local residents and businesses.