Orange Barrel Season 2025: Full List of Michigan Road Projects and Traffic Detours

As the days grow longer and the last traces of winter melt away, signs of spring in Michigan begin to emerge. There’s the unmistakable sound of robins chirping, the scent of fresh rain in the air—and a sea of bright orange barrels lining the roads. Welcome to “orange barrel season,” Michigan’s unofficial fifth season and a rite of passage for residents navigating the warmer months.

But this year, the cones are out earlier than ever. The 2025 road construction season isn’t just a scattered collection of fixes—it’s a carefully orchestrated statewide revamp that stretches from Metro Detroit to the shores of Lake Michigan, touching nearly every major county and corridor in between. With hundreds of millions of dollars in planned upgrades, reroutes, resurfacing, and bridge replacements, Michigan’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) and various county road agencies are rolling out one of the most ambitious construction seasons to date.

Here’s everything drivers need to know before hitting the road in 2025.

Michigan Department of Transportation, Facebook

The New Normal: Early Starts and Strategic Planning

Michigan’s roadwork season has officially evolved. Historically starting in March or April, construction now routinely begins in February. According to MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross, this shift allows contractors to get a head start on tasks that don’t require warm weather—like moving barrier walls or initial site excavation—while saving temperature-dependent work like concrete pouring for the warmer weeks ahead.

The goal? To maximize productivity and minimize delays.

“It’s part of being a responsible driver,” said Cross. “Know what’s happening on your route. You may not need to pay attention to every project, but if it’s near your commute or neighborhood, it can affect your day.”

The Mega Project: Restore the Reuther on I-696

Easily the most high-profile undertaking of the year, the “Restore the Reuther” initiative along Interstate 696 in Oakland County enters its final and most disruptive phase. This two-year project—valued at $275 million—is focused on a complete rebuild of the eastbound lanes between M-10 and I-75. While westbound lanes will remain open throughout the project, eastbound traffic will be fully closed through 2027.

This section of I-696 is a crucial artery for thousands of commuters daily, and with traffic rerouted to alternative roads, congestion is expected to ripple throughout the county.

The scope of the project goes beyond surface-level repair. Crews are removing decades-old road materials and reconstructing the corridor to improve drainage, safety, and long-term durability. Although frustrating in the short term, the outcome promises smoother travel for years to come.

Oakland County’s Construction Constellation

The chaos on I-696 is far from the only orange barrel activity in Oakland County this year. The Road Commission for Oakland County is launching multiple other significant road projects in tandem, particularly near the already disrupted 696 corridor.

One such project is a $3.2 million resurfacing of 10 Mile Road between Telegraph and Lahser in Southfield. Scheduled to run from mid-April through July, this work will keep one lane in each direction and the center left-turn lane open, aiming to balance safety with traffic flow. The work includes stripping old pavement, performing sub-base repairs, and laying new asphalt for a smoother and more resilient surface.

Meanwhile, 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills will undergo its own transformation. This $4 million resurfacing between Middlebelt and Inkster roads is expected to stretch from mid-March to October. The eastbound section will be entirely closed to facilitate construction, which will include full-depth pavement replacement.

These projects are timed to coincide with seasonal asphalt plant operations, which typically begin in mid-April. As Craig Bryson of the road commission explains, "Whenever the weather is warm enough, but it's generally mid-April that the asphalt plants open. Most major construction starts mid-April and ends roughly mid-November."

Macomb County: Major Investments in Key Corridors

East of Oakland, Macomb County is embarking on an expansive list of nearly two dozen projects that run the gamut from routine maintenance to complete road and bridge overhauls. Leading the pack in terms of budget is the $10 million reconstruction of 10 Mile Road between Sherwood and Lorraine in Center Line. This corridor serves as a vital east-west commuter route, and the reconstruction aims to address long-standing wear and drainage issues.

Fraser’s Garfield Road is also receiving a significant upgrade between 14 Mile and 15 Mile. This $8.3 million reconstruction is already underway and is designed to bring the roadway up to modern safety and design standards.

Three projects have already broken ground, including:

Dequindre Road upgrades between Hamlin and Avon Roads
Additional Dequindre Road improvements from 23 Mile to 24 Mile
A bridge replacement on 34 Mile in Richmond Township, between Armada Ridge and Russ Roads

MDOT is also investing $8 million into resurfacing five miles of Gratiot Avenue (M-3), stretching from Sandpiper Drive to 23 Mile. This project includes not only new pavement but also upgraded sidewalk curb ramps and ADA-compliant improvements.

Funding these widespread initiatives isn’t easy. According to Bryan Santo, Director of Macomb County’s Department of Roads, there's always a tug-of-war between available resources and needed repairs. “There’s definitely more wants and needs than there is money available,” Santo said. “But we do have a very analytically driven system to move forward with.”

Wayne County’s Workload: Major Freeway and Local Road Rebuilds

Downriver and westward, Wayne County is also seeing a flurry of high-dollar projects. Five major road jobs are planned this season, ranging from bridge replacements to pavement reconstructions in key neighborhoods.

Among them:

Denton Road Bridge Replacement in Belleville ($10 million)
Oakwood Boulevard Reconstruction from Beech Street to Rotunda Drive in Dearborn ($10 million)
Belleville Road Rebuild between Tyler and Ecorse Roads in Van Buren Township ($9 million)

However, the biggest challenge facing Wayne County drivers may be the $140 million reconstruction of M-14/I-96. In its current configuration, only one eastbound lane is open, with no access to on-ramps or exits for much of the stretch. Westbound traffic is slightly more manageable, with two lanes open. The closures are scheduled to remain until late in the year.

This stretch is a heavily traveled route for Metro Detroiters heading to Ann Arbor, especially during the University of Michigan football season. MDOT is preparing for an influx of frustrated fans come August, when game-day traffic meets construction reality.

In 2026, attention will shift to rebuilding the westbound direction. For now, it’s a waiting game, with patience and detours the name of the game.

MDOT Projects Beyond Metro Detroit

The construction boom isn’t confined to Southeast Michigan. MDOT has mapped out projects from the central Lower Peninsula to the northern tip of the mitten, affecting residents and travelers across the state.

Ionia County:

I-96 Rebuild from Bliss to Sunfield Roads
$105 million investment
Began in 2024 and will continue through November 2026
Eight miles of highway being reconstructed from the ground up

Saginaw County:

Zilwaukee Bridge Preventive Maintenance
$2.9 million in phased closures
Southbound closure: April 14 to June 27
Northbound closure: Starts July 14 and continues into fall
This stretch of I-75 is a critical north-south corridor, and the closures will cause major delays

Kent County:

US-131 in Byron Township (76th to 100th Streets)
$70 million project scheduled for completion in November
Full reconstruction to improve ride quality and safety

Berrien County:

I-94 Rebuilding Project
$204 million effort, now in year two of a three-year timeline
Long stretches of I-94 being reconstructed to meet modern freeway standards

Bay City:

Lafayette Bridge Demolition and Rebuild
$117 million project began in 2024
Will replace the aging bascule structure over the Saginaw River
Completion projected for 2027

Genesee County (Flint):

I-475 North and Southbound Rebuild
$141 million project
Covers area from the Flint River to Carpenter Road
Scheduled for completion by end of this year

Traverse City Area:

M-72 and M-22 Reconstruction
$25.6 million for 2.2 miles of rebuilding west of the city
Construction begins and ends within 2025

Looking to the Future: I-94 Mega Project Coming Soon

As MDOT wraps up current projects, plans are already underway for one of the most transformative initiatives in Metro Detroit’s future: the $353 million reconstruction of I-94 between Wayne Road in Romulus and Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Scheduled to begin at the end of 2025, this three-year project will modernize a critical artery of Detroit's freeway system.

While this undertaking won’t impact drivers this season, it’s worth keeping on the radar—especially for commuters who use the corridor regularly.

Navigating Construction Season: What Drivers Can Do

With so many projects happening simultaneously, the risk of unexpected detours, extended travel times, and mounting frustration is real. MDOT urges drivers to plan their routes in advance, monitor active construction zones, and check traffic reports frequently.

Resources like MDOT’s online construction map and traffic cameras can help drivers adjust their commutes or find alternate routes before they’re stuck in gridlock. And while the orange barrels might symbolize inconvenience now, they also signify a statewide investment in safer, smoother roads.

From the suburbs of Detroit to the rural routes of the north, Michigan’s 2025 construction season is a sweeping effort to modernize the state’s aging infrastructure. Though patience will be required, the long-term payoffs—in ride quality, safety, and reliability—are worth the wait.