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Western Terminus |
| The western terminus of I-696 is at one of the most complex interchanges in the state of Michigan. I-96, I-275, and M-5 are all a part of this interchange, which covers nearly 2 square miles on the Novi - Farmington Hills border in southern Oakland County. There are five approaches to this interchange - clockwise from the western approach: east I-96, south M-5, west I-696, west M-5, and west I-96 / north I-275 - and numerous ramps connecting every which way. In due course, photos showing navigation around this interchange from the different approaches and the different ramps will be featured here for the northern terminus of I-275, as well as on the I-275 page for its western terminus. |
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Guide signs such as this one
that list the next two or three interchanges, and their distances from
the point of the sign, are common within the freeway system of the
Metropolitan Detroit area. This one is on west I-696, just west of the
US 24 /
M-10 interchange
in Southfield. It is the first mention of the upcoming interchange with
I-96, I-275, and M-5, 6.25 miles ahead. (PHOTO # 1: John Harmon | September 2, 2002) |
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In this photo is the first
overhead diagram sign showing the possible movements for west I-696
traffic at the I-96 / I-275 / M-5 interchange, 2 miles from this point.
It is located on the Farmington Road overpass. (PHOTO # 2: John Harmon | September 2, 2002) |
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Here is the final sign
bridge on west I-696 before the big interchange. Two lanes lead to
west I-96, while two lanes head toward east I-96 / south I-275 / M-5.
The I-696 designation continues for 1 more mile, until the merge with
west I-96. (PHOTO # 3: John Harmon | September 2, 2002) |
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At the point where west I-96
merges in with I-696, there is an I-696 ENDS shield present. (PHOTO # 4: Dan P. | July 31, 2002) |
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Shown here is the perspective of
east I-96 as it enters into the massive interchange. The I-275
designation begins when east I-96 merges in with the ramps from west
I-696 and either direction of M-5. However, I-696 officially
starts at this point. (PHOTO # 5: John Harmon | September 2, 2002) |
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This sign truss is located
on west I-96 / north I-275, 0.25 mile from the main exit ramp to I-696 /
M-5. West I-96 maintains two lanes, while the exit ramp for I-696
/ M-5 gets three lanes. (PHOTO # 6: Neil Bratney | June 15, 2002) |
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Eastern Terminus |
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The eastern end of I-696 is
at I-94 (Exit 229) in St. Clair Shores. Of the four lanes that
enter into the interchange, the left two head toward east I-94, and the
right two provide access to west I-94. 11 Mile Road, which serves
as I-696's service drive throughout its stretch in Macomb County and
continues due east from this interchange toward the Lake St. Clair
shore, runs through the center of this interchange, and is accessible
from all directions of this interchange. |
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Here is the final sign truss
for east I-696 at the split of the ramps to east and west I-94,
respectively. There is no I-696 ENDS signage present at the
eastern terminus. (PHOTO # 2: Dan Garnell | April 3, 2003) |
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At the gore point of the eastern terminus of I-696
are these respective east and west I-94 shields. (PHOTO # 3: Dan Garnell | April 3, 2003) |
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The first reassurance marker
for west I-696 is located right after the west 11 Mile Road overpass,
following the merge of the ramps from I-94. (PHOTO # 4: Dan Garnell | April 3, 2003) |
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These four photos show the
signage present along east I-94 as it approaches the I-696 / 11 Mile
Road interchange. I-94 maintains three through lanes through this
area. The 10 Mile Road on-ramp merges in and becomes a fourth
lane, which promptly becomes exit only for I-696 / 11 Mile Road.
At the exit, the right-center lane also provides access to the exit
ramp. (PHOTOS # 5 - 8: Dan Garnell | April 3, 2003) |
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Meanwhile, the progression
of signage leading up to the I-696 / 11 Mile Road exit on west I-94 is
shown in these three pictures. The 12 Mile Road on-ramp merges in
and provides an exit only lane for I-696 / 11 Mile Road, although again,
access to the ramp is possible from the right-center lane. (PHOTOS # 9 - 11: Dan Garnell | April 3, 2003) |
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