Editing Interstate 96

{{short description|Interstate Highway in Michigan, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{featured article}}
{{Infobox road
|state=MI
|type=I
|route=96
|map={{maplink-road|from=Interstate 96.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=I-96 highlighted in red
|map_alt=I-96 runs west-northwest to east-southeast across the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
|established=1959<ref name=newsigns/>
|history= Completed November 21, 1977<ref name=kulsea/>
|length_mi=192.032
|length_ref=<ref name=PRFA/>
|direction_a=West
|terminus_a={{Jct|state=MI|US|31}} in [[Norton Shores, Michigan|Norton Shores]]
|junction=<!-- Major junctions only; Only 5-8 most major intersections and cities belong here; please read [[WP:USRD/STDS]] for more info -->
*{{Jct|state=MI|US|131}} in [[Walker, Michigan|Walker]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|196}} in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]]
*{{Jct|state=MI|I|69}} near [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]]
*{{Jct|state=MI|I|496|US|127}} in Lansing
*{{Jct|state=MI|US|23}} in [[Brighton, Michigan|Brighton]]
*{{Jct|state=MI|I|275|I|696|M|5}} in [[Farmington Hills, Michigan|Farmington Hills]]
*{{Jct|state=MI|I|275|M|14}} near [[Livonia, Michigan|Livonia]]
*{{Jct|state=MI|US|24}} in [[Redford Charter Township, Michigan|Redford]]
*{{Jct|state=MI|I|94}} in [[Detroit]]
|direction_b=East
|terminus_b={{Jct|state=MI|I|75}} in Detroit
|counties=[[Muskegon County, Michigan|Muskegon]], [[Ottawa County, Michigan|Ottawa]], [[Kent County, Michigan|Kent]], [[Ionia County, Michigan|Ionia]], [[Clinton County, Michigan|Clinton]], [[Eaton County, Michigan|Eaton]], [[Ingham County, Michigan|Ingham]], [[Livingston County, Michigan|Livingston]], [[Oakland County, Michigan|Oakland]], [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne]]
|previous_type=M
|previous_route=95
|next_type=BL
|next_route=96

}}
'''Interstate&nbsp;96''' ('''I-96''') is an east–west [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highway]] that runs for approximately {{convert|192|mi|km}} entirely within the [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan|Lower Peninsula]] of the US state of Michigan. The western terminus is at an interchange with [[U.S. Route 31 in Michigan|US Highway&nbsp;31]] (US&nbsp;31) and [[U.S. Route 31 Business (Muskegon, Michigan)|Business US&nbsp;31]] (Bus. US&nbsp;31) on the eastern boundary of [[Norton Shores, Michigan|Norton Shores]] southeast of [[Muskegon, Michigan|Muskegon]], and the eastern terminus is at [[Interstate 75 in Michigan|I-75]] near the [[Ambassador Bridge]] in [[Detroit]]. From [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]] through [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]] to Detroit, the freeway parallels Grand River Avenue, never straying more than a few miles from the decommissioned [[U.S. Route 16 in Michigan|US&nbsp;16]]. The [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]] section of I-96 is named the '''Jeffries Freeway''' from its eastern terminus to the junction with [[Interstate 275 (Michigan)|I-275]] and [[M-14 (Michigan highway)|M-14]]. Though maps still refer to the freeway as the Jeffries, the portion within the city of Detroit was renamed by the state legislature as the '''Rosa Parks Memorial Highway''' in December 2005 in honor of the late [[Rosa Parks|civil rights pioneer]]. There are four [[List of auxiliary Interstate Highways|auxiliary Interstates]] as well as two current and four former [[business route]]s associated with I-96.

Grand River Avenue originated as an [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] trail before Michigan statehood. It later was used as a wagon road across the state. The roadway was included in the [[Michigan State Trunkline Highway System|State Trunkline Highway System]] in 1919 as M-16 and later the [[United States Numbered Highway System]] as US&nbsp;16. Construction of a freeway along the length of the corridor was proposed in the 1940s, and included as part of the Interstate Highway System in the mid-1950s. This construction was started in 1956 and initially completed across the state to Detroit in 1962. The proposed route for the Jeffries Freeway in Detroit was moved in the 1960s; it was built in the 1970s. I-96 was completed on November 21, 1977, in the Detroit area, closing the last gap along the route. Since then, additional interchanges and lanes have been added in places to accommodate traffic needs.

==Route description==
I-96 is maintained by the [[Michigan Department of Transportation]] (MDOT) as a segment of the larger [[Michigan State Trunkline Highway System|State Trunkline Highway System]]. In 2011, the department's traffic surveys showed that on [[Annual average daily traffic|average]], 201,200&nbsp;vehicles used the highway daily between 6 and 7&nbsp;Mile roads in Livonia. Near Norton Shores, 20,638&nbsp;vehicles did so each day between Airline and Fruitport roads. These are the highest and lowest counts along the highway, respectively.<ref name=TMIS>{{cite web |author = Bureau of Transportation Planning |url = http://mdotnetpublic.state.mi.us/tmispublic/ |title = Traffic Monitoring Information System |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |year = 2008 |access-date = June 30, 2012 }}</ref> As an Interstate Highway, all of I-96 is included in the [[National Highway System (United States)|National Highway System]],<ref name=NHS-MI>{{cite map |title = National Highway System, Michigan |date = April 23, 2006 |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |author = Michigan Department of Transportation |scale = Scale not given |url = http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_NHS_Statewide_150626_7.pdf |format = PDF |access-date = October 7, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080820003118/http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_NHS_Statewide_150626_7.pdf |archive-date = August 20, 2008 }}</ref> a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.<ref name=NHS>{{cite web |last1 = Natzke |first1 = Stefan |last2 = Neathery |first2 = Mike |last3 = Adderly |first3 = Kevin |name-list-style = amp |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/ |title = What is the National Highway System? |work = National Highway System |publisher = [[Federal Highway Administration]] |date = September 26, 2012 |access-date = January 1, 2013 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120828192748/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/ |archive-date = August 28, 2012 }}</ref> In addition, the highway in Detroit has been named the Rosa Parks Memorial Highway by the [[Michigan Legislature]] to honor the civil rights pioneer [[Rosa Parks]].<ref name="Rosa Parks">{{cite web |url = http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.aspx?page=GetMCLDocument&objectname=mcl-250-1098 |work = Michigan Memorial Highway Act (Excerpt) Act 142 of 2001 |at = MCL 250.1098 |title = Rosa Parks Memorial Highway |author = [[Michigan Legislature]] |publisher = State of Michigan |access-date = August 18, 2006 |year = 2001 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070611152946/http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28pdzh5q5522h2fq2pvrdocu55%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetMCLDocument&objectname=mcl-250-1098 |archive-date = June 11, 2007 }}</ref> The segment from Livonia west to I-275 is the Jeffries Freeway, named for a former mayor of Detroit, [[Edward Jeffries]].<ref name=barnettJ/>

===Norton Shores to Grand Rapids===
[[File:Interstate 96 and Sternberg Road.jpg|thumb|left|Westbound I-96 as it passes under Sternberg Road approaching US&nbsp;31|alt=Photograph of]]
I-96 begins at a [[partial cloverleaf interchange|three-quarter cloverleaf interchange]] with [[U.S. Route 31 in Michigan|US&nbsp;31]] northeast of the [[Muskegon County Airport]] in [[Norton Shores, Michigan|Norton Shores]], near [[Muskegon, Michigan|Muskegon]]. At the starting terminus, the highway has a grassy median and two lanes in each direction as it travels southeasterly through rural [[Muskegon County, Michigan|Muskegon County]]. The freeway is paralleled by Airline Highway in an area with a mix of fields and residences as far as [[Fruitport, Michigan|Fruitport]]. I-96 bypasses that village to the north and east before crossing into [[Ottawa County, Michigan|Ottawa County]] at Fruitport Road. After a distance of about {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} in the county, the trunkline reaches [[Crockery Township, Michigan|Nunica]]. The highway crosses the Crockery Creek and turns eastward toward [[Coopersville, Michigan|Coopersville]]. The freeway runs parallel to the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]], about {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} to the north. Near Ironwood Drive, I-96 turns southeasterly again and goes through [[Marne, Michigan|Marne]].<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/>

Beyond Marne, I-96 passes the western end of [[M-11 (Michigan highway)|M-11]] and crosses into [[Kent County, Michigan|Kent County]], curving around a rest area for the eastbound lanes. The freeway runs eastward through a light industrial area of the suburb of [[Walker, Michigan|Walker]] as it enters the [[Grand Rapids metropolitan area]]. At the interchange with Alpine Avenue, [[M-37 (Michigan highway)|M-37]] merges onto the freeway and the two [[concurrency (road)|run concurrently]] past the studios for [[WZZM|WZZM-TV]]<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/> with its iconic [[Weather beacon|weatherball]], a {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}} sphere {{convert|100|ft|m}} above the ground that uses colored lights to display a weather forecast.<ref name=weatherball>{{cite news |author = Staff Writer |url = http://www.wzzm13.com/weather/article/118804/14/The-Story-of-the-13-Weatherball |title = The Story of the 13 Weatherball |date = August 15, 2011 |publisher = [[WZZM-TV]] |location = Walker, Michigan |access-date = March 9, 2013 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130412050750/http://www.wzzm13.com/weather/article/118804/14/The-Story-of-the-13-Weatherball |archive-date = April 12, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Adjacent to the studios are the ramps from eastbound I-96 to southbound [[U.S. Route 131|US&nbsp;131]] and from northbound US&nbsp;131 to westbound I-96.<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/> These ramps mark the northern end of [[Interstate 296|I-296]], an [[unsigned highway|unsigned]] auxiliary Interstate Highway designation applied to them and the US&nbsp;131 freeway south to downtown Grand Rapids.<ref name=PRFA/> I-96 turns northeasterly past a commercial area to a three-quarter cloverleaf interchange that provides all of the other connections with US&nbsp;131 next to a crossing of the Grand River.<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/>

[[File:WZZM 13 Weatherball.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[WZZM#Weatherball|WZZM-TV's Weatherball]] next to I-96 in Walker|alt=Photograph of]]
East of the river, I-96 and M-37 pass through the northern suburb of [[Comstock Park, Michigan|Comstock Park]], intersecting [[M-44 Connector (Michigan highway)|Connector M-44]] (Conn. M-44, Plainfield Avenue) near [[Lamberton Lake]]. Past that interchange, the freeway angles southeasterly and then southward, bypassing Grand Rapids to the northeast. East of downtown, I-96/M-37 meets [[Interstate 196|I-196]] (Gerald R. Ford Freeway) at a partial interchange; traffic headed eastbound on I-196 must enter I-96 eastbound and only westbound I-96 traffic may enter I-196. Immediately east of the interchange is another for [[M-44 (Michigan highway)|M-44]] (East Beltline Avenue) where M-37 separates from the freeway to turn southward. Through this series of interchanges, I-96 curves to the east and then turns back southward after passing through them. There are two more interchanges for [[M-21 (Michigan highway)|M-21]] (Fulton Street) and Cascade Road before I-96 meets the eastern end of M-11 at 28th Street. The next interchange for 36th Street provides access to the [[Gerald R. Ford International Airport]]. The freeway continues to the east of the airport and then intersects the eastern end of [[M-6 (Michigan highway)|M-6]] (Paul B. Henry Freeway, South Beltline Freeway) at an interchange over the [[Thornapple River]].<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/>

===Grand Rapids to Howell===
The freeway exits the edges of the Grand Rapids urban area past the interchange with M-6, turning due east and paralleling the northern edge of Cascade Road. I-96 curves to the south of Pratt Lake near the county line, crossing into [[Ionia County, Michigan|Ionia County]]. Grand River Avenue is the [[frontage road]] as the freeway heads east through farm fields. South of [[Ionia, Michigan|Ionia]], I-96 intersects [[M-66 (Michigan highway)|M-66]]. Near [[Portland, Michigan|Portland]], the trunkline turns to the southeast to cross the Grand River again. On the east side of town, the freeway crosses Grand River Avenue, its former [[Business route|business spur]] into town. I-96 continues southeasterly, crossing into [[Clinton County, Michigan|Clinton County]] and passes the community of [[Eagle, Michigan|Eagle]]. Entering the western reaches of the [[Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area|Lansing metropolitan area]], I-96 merges with [[Interstate 69 in Michigan|I-69]] and turns southward at an interchange in the southwestern corner of the county; this interchange also provides access to [[Interstate 96 Business (Lansing, Michigan)|Business Loop I-96]] (BL I-96, Grand River Avenue).<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/>

[[File:I-96 and I-496, Lansing.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Aerial view looking north from the I-496 interchange along I-96/I-69 west of Lansing|alt=Photograph of]]
These two Interstates run southward together for about {{convert|6.5|mi|km}} on the west side of the metropolitan area, picking up a third lane in each direction. The exit numbers and mileposts along the concurrency reflect those of I-96, which is considered the dominant designation of the pair. South of that interchange, the freeway crosses into [[Eaton County, Michigan|Eaton County]] and over the Grand River. The trunkline passes near residential subdivisions, and next to the interchange for [[Interstate 69 Business (Lansing, Michigan)|BL I-69]]/[[M-43 (Michigan highway)|M-43]] (Saginaw Highway), there is a large retail development. Farther south, [[Interstate 496|I-496]] (Olds Freeway) branches off to run into downtown Lansing before the split between I-96 and I-69. I-69 turns southward while I-96 turns southeasterly, dropping back to four lanes in total. After the Lansing Road interchange, the freeway crosses the Grand River one last time and runs due east to bypass Lansing.<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/>

[[File:I-96 and I-69 south split Lansing.jpg|thumb|Southern split between I-96 and I-69 southwest of Lansing|alt=Photograph looking south showing]]
I-96 crosses into [[Ingham County, Michigan|Ingham County]] and continues along the southern edges of the Lansing metro area. It passes through areas with residential subdivisions and commercial developments, coming to a pair of interchanges including one for the eastern end of BL I-96 (Cedar Street). Near the crossing of the [[Red Cedar River (Michigan)|Red Cedar River]], I-96 goes through the interchange for I-496/[[U.S. Route 127 in Michigan|US&nbsp;127]]. East of that interchange, the freeway begins to exit the metro area as the landscape transitions back to farm fields. I-96 continues eastward, bypassing [[Williamston, Michigan|Williamston]] and [[Webberville, Michigan|Webberville]] to the south. Near the latter, the freeway turns more southeasterly and crosses into [[Livingston County, Michigan|Livingston County]]. In Livingston County, I-96 passes to the south of [[Fowlerville, Michigan|Fowlerville]] and then enters the far northwestern edge of [[Metro Detroit]], passing south of [[Howell, Michigan|Howell]]. From this point, the freeway expands to six lanes and runs parallel to Grand River Avenue on the southern side of town.<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/>

===Metro Detroit===
[[File:Spaghetti Bowl Interchange (Novi, Michigan).png|thumb|left|300px|Satellite image of the interchange with M-5, I-275 and I-696 in Novi and Farmington Hills|alt=Satellite photograph]]
Near the [[Livingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport]] on the western edge of Howell, I-96 meets [[M-59 (Michigan highway)|M-59]], which runs to [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]] and carries the [[Interstate 96 Business (Howell, Michigan)|Howell business loop]] easterly to Grand River Avenue. The business loop reconnects near Lake Chemung on the east side of town, and I-96 turns further to the southeast. On the northeast side of [[Brighton, Michigan|Brighton]], I-96 crosses over Grand River Avenue and the landscape transitions to include residential subdivisions. I-96 proceeds to cross [[U.S. Route 23 in Michigan|US&nbsp;23]].<ref name=MDOT12>{{cite MDOT map |year= 2012 |sections=K8–M13 }}</ref><ref name=google>{{google maps |url= http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=US-31+BUS+S&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&sll=42.453735,-83.424511&sspn=0.122096,0.116558&geocode=Fa3GkgIdzYrc-g%3BFajyhQIdsC8M-w&mra=ls&t=h&z=8 |title= Overview Map of Interstate 96 |access-date= July 20, 2012}}</ref>

I-96 passes through an area with several lakes as it crosses into [[Oakland County, Michigan|Oakland County]]. This area includes the [[Island Lake Recreation Area|Island Lake State Recreation Area]] to the south and the [[Kensington Metropark]] to the north of the freeway in an area where it crosses the [[Huron River (Michigan)|Huron River]]. The Interstate runs through [[Wixom, Michigan|Wixom]] into [[Novi, Michigan|Novi]], where it passes to the south of the [[Twelve Oaks Mall]]. Southeast of the mall, I-96 enters a complex interchange on the border between Novi and [[Farmington Hills, Michigan|Farmington Hills]] that connects it to [[M-5 (Michigan highway)|M-5]] (Haggerty Connector), [[Interstate 275 (Michigan)|I-275]] and [[Interstate 696|I-696]] (Reuther Freeway). The trunkline drops a lane in each direction as it enters the interchange and turns southward. The freeway then merges into I-275 and increases to four lanes in each direction running south in Farmington Hills.<ref name=google/><ref name=MDOT12D>{{cite MDOT map |year= 2012 |sections=C3–C7, C7–E7, E7–E11 |inset= Detroit }}</ref>

According to the [[Federal Highway Administration]], I-275 ends at the junction with I-96 and [[M-14 (Michigan highway)|M-14]] along the boundary between [[Livonia, Michigan|Livonia]] and [[Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan|Plymouth Township]] and not at the interchange in Novi and Farmington Hills.{{#tag:ref|FHWA's ''Route Log and Finder List'' documents the length of I-275 as {{convert|29.97|mi|km}},<ref name=RLT2/> which corresponds to the length from I-75 to the southern I-96 junction.<ref name=PRFA/> It also omits any mention of an overlap with I-96 from its notes.<ref name=RLT2>{{cite web |first = Kevin |last = Adderly |date = May 23, 2017 |title = Table&nbsp;2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2016 |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table02.cfm |work = Route Log and Finder List |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |access-date = June 16, 2017 }}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} MDOT considers I-275 to extend northward concurrently with I-96 to the Novi and Farmington Hills,<ref name=MDOT12D/> and maps from other providers follow MDOT's lead and label the freeway north of M-14 as I-96/I-275.<ref name=RM13>{{cite map |author = [[Rand McNally]] |year = 2013 |title = The Road Atlas |map = Michigan: Cities |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |scale = c. 1:316,800 |edition = 2013 Walmart |sections = H3–J3 |inset = Detroit & Vicinity |page = 52 |isbn = 0-528-00626-6 |oclc = 773666955 }}</ref>

I-96/I-275 runs southward for about {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} before crossing into [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]] at the interchange with [[M-102 (Michigan highway)|8&nbsp;Mile Road]] near the [[Meadowbrook Country Club]]. The freeway curves to the east around [[Schoolcraft College]]; then, south of 5&nbsp;Mile Road, I-96 meets the interchange with M-14 and I-275 where it turns to the east along the Jeffries Freeway. To the north and south sides of I-96 are a pair of [[Frontage road|service drive]]s named Schoolcraft Road<ref name=google/><ref name=MDOT12D/> which follow the 4&nbsp;Mile location on the [[Mile Road System (Detroit)|Mile Road System]] for Detroit.<ref name=gavrilovich>{{cite book |last1 = Gavrilovich |first1 = Peter |last2 = McGraw |first2 = Bill |year = 2000 |title = The Detroit Almanac: 300&nbsp;Years of Life in the Motor City |location = Detroit |publisher = [[Detroit Free Press]] |pages = 20–1 |isbn = 978-0-937247-34-1 |oclc = 45227386 |name-list-style = amp }}</ref> To the north of the Jeffries are residential neighborhoods, and to the south are commercial or industrial areas. At Inkster Road, the freeway crosses into [[Redford Charter Township, Michigan|Redford Township]] where it intersects [[U.S. Route 24 in Michigan|US&nbsp;24]] (Telegraph Road) near [[Eliza Howell Park]]. East of the park, I-96 enters Detroit.<ref name=google/><ref name=MDOT12D/>

Past the [[Outer Drive]] interchange, I-96 splits into a [[local-express lanes]] configuration. There are two [[carriageway]]s in each direction, and the central ones have three lanes that bypass almost all of the exits while the outer ones have two lanes that have access to each exit. The Jeffries turns southeasterly and separates from Schoolcraft Road shifting {{convert|1/2|mi|km|spell=in}} to the south. The interchange with [[M-39 (Michigan highway)|M-39]] (Southfield Freeway) features slip ramps so that traffic can pass between the local and express lanes. Further east, I-96 turns northeasterly to cross M-5 (Grand River Avenue). I-96 curves over to the interchange with [[M-8 (Michigan highway)|M-8]] (Davison Avenue) and the local-express configuration ends as the freeway turns back to the south to cross over Grand River Avenue.<ref name=google/><ref name=MDOT12D/>

[[File:DavisonExit.JPG|thumb|right|I-96 east at Davison Avenue, the east end of the local–express split|alt=Photograph of]]
From the crossing south of Davison, I-96 runs parallel to Grand River Avenue southeasterly with eight lanes total. The two run together as far as the interchange with [[Interstate 94 in Michigan|I-94]] (Edsel Ford Freeway) near Bishop Park. I-96 turns more south-southeasterly there through residential neighborhoods on Detroit's southeastern side. I-96 terminates at an interchange that connects it to I-75 (Fisher Freeway) and to the [[Ambassador Bridge]].<ref name=MDOT12/><ref name=google/>

==History==
Interstate 96 was mostly constructed in sections that opened from 1957 to 1962, but it was not completed in the Detroit area until 1977. Even before the [[Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956|National Interstate and Defense Highways Act]] was signed in 1956, the route was being planned as a replacement of the old US&nbsp;16, which was [[decommissioned highway|decommissioned]] in the state in 1962.

===Beginnings===
{{see also|U.S. Route 16 in Michigan|l1=US Highway 16 in Michigan}}
The Muskegon–Grand Rapids–Lansing–Detroit corridor was initially named the Grand River Road,<ref name=woodard>{{cite book |last = Woodard |first = Sadie G. |title = Grand River Road: A Traveler's View of a Historic Route that Traversed Early Michigan |location = Lansing, Michigan |publisher = Plane Tree Press |year = 1966 |page = 12 |oclc = 433271 }}</ref> an Indian trail<ref name=WCRC1>{{cite web |author = [[Wayne County Department of Public Services]] |title = Part I: An Indian Trail |work = History: The River Road |publisher = Wayne County Department of Public Services |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071218204055/http://www.waynecounty.com/dps_roads/history/written_history.htm |url = http://www.waynecounty.com/dps_roads/history/written_history.htm |archive-date = December 18, 2007 |access-date = September 6, 2010 }}</ref> that was designated as a military highway in 1825.<ref name=WCRC2>{{cite web |author = Wayne County Department of Public Services |title = Part II: A Military Road |work = History: The River Road |publisher = Wayne County Department of Public Services |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071219144832/http://www.waynecounty.com/dps_roads/history/written_history2.htm |url = http://www.waynecounty.com/dps_roads/history/written_history2.htm |archive-date = December 19, 2007 |access-date = September 6, 2010 }}</ref> The roadway was included as a branch of "Division&nbsp;2" of the [[Michigan State Trunkline Highway System|State Trunkline Highway System]] when that was created in May 1913.<ref name=STLA>{{cite book |author = Michigan Legislature |chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=7kXiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1868 |title = The Compiled Laws of the State of Michigan |volume = 1 |year = 1915 |chapter = Chapter&nbsp;91: State Reward Trunk Line Highways |pages = 1868–72 |location = Lansing, Michigan |publisher = Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Crawford |editor1-last = Shields |editor1-first = Edmund C. |editor2-last = Black |editor2-first = Cyrenius P. |editor3-last = Broomfield |editor3-first = Archibald |access-date = January 24, 2012 |oclc = 44724558 |name-list-style = amp }}</ref> When the system was signposted in 1919,<ref name=press-1919-09-20>{{cite news |title = Michigan May Do Well Following Wisconsin's Road Marking System |work = [[The Grand Rapids Press]] |date = September 20, 1919 |page = 10 |oclc = 9975013 }}</ref> the highway was assigned the [[M-16 (Michigan highway)|M-16]] designation.<ref name=MSHD19LP>{{cite MDOT map |date= 1919-07-01L |link= y }}</ref> Grand River Avenue was the first [[paved highway]] across the state when paving was completed in 1926.<ref name=barnett>{{cite book |first = LeRoy |last = Barnett |year = 2004 |title = A Drive Down Memory Lane: The Named State and Federal Highways of Michigan |location = Allegan Forest, Michigan |publisher = Priscilla Press |page = 93 |isbn = 1-886167-24-9 |oclc = 57425393 }}</ref> The entire highway was designated as part of US&nbsp;16 later that year.<ref name=USH>{{cite map |author1 = [[Bureau of Public Roads]] |author2 = [[American Association of State Highway Officials]] |date = November 11, 1926 |title = United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials |url = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_System_of_Highways_Adopted_for_Uniform_Marking_by_the_American_Association_of_State_Highway_Officials.jpg |scale = 1:7,000,000 |location = Washington, DC |publisher = [[United States Geological Survey]] |oclc = 32889555 |access-date = November 7, 2013 |via = [[Wikimedia Commons]] |name-list-style = amp }}</ref>

[[File:Interstate Highway plan June 27, 1958 (MI).jpg|thumb|left|1958 numbering plan for Michigan's Interstates|alt=Map of]]
East of Grand Rapids, the highway was a major artery of national importance, and was added to the proposed "Interregional Highway System" as part of a northern route between [[Chicago]] and Detroit by the 1940s.<ref>{{cite map |author = [[Public Roads Administration]] |url = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interregional_Highway_plan_ca_1943.jpg |title = Routes of the Recommended Interregional Highway System |year = c. 1943 |scale = Scale not given |location = Washington, DC |publisher = Public Roads Administration |access-date = May 10, 2008 |via = Wikimedia Commons }}</ref> A branch from Grand Rapids to Muskegon was added later that decade,<ref>{{cite map |author = Public Roads Administration |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/fairbank17.cfm |title = National System of Interstate Highways |date = August 2, 1947 |scale = Scale not given |location = Washington, DC |publisher = Public Roads Administration |access-date = May 10, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101023011220/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/fairbank17.cfm |archive-date = October 23, 2010 }}</ref> and in 1957 the Chicago–Detroit route was labeled as part of [[Interstate 94 in Michigan|I-94]], with I-94N on the spur to Muskegon.<ref>{{cite map |url = http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interstate_Highway_plan_August_14,_1957.jpg |title = Official Route Numbering for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways |author = [[American Association of State Highway Officials]] |scale = Scale not given |location = Washington, DC |publisher = American Association of State Highway Officials |date = August 14, 1957 |access-date = May 10, 2008 |via = Wikimedia Commons }}</ref> Michigan, believing that this would "cause considerable confusion to the public", requested a change in April 1958, which would move I-94 to the shorter [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]] route (which was planned as I-92), make the Muskegon–Detroit route I-96, and assign I-67 to the connection from I-94 to I-96 at Grand Rapids,<ref>{{cite web |author = Michigan State Highway Department |publisher = Michigan State Highway Department |url = http://nwindianahwys.homestead.com/michiplan.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031121121341/http://nwindianahwys.homestead.com/michiplan.html |title = Recommended Numbering: Interstate Highways in Michigan |date = April 25, 1958 |archive-date = November 21, 2003 |access-date = May 10, 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref> but this was initially rejected by the [[American Association of State Highway Officials]] (AASHO).<ref>{{cite map |url = http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interstate_Highway_plan_June_27,_1958.jpg |title = Official Route Numbering for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways |author = American Association of State Highway Officials |scale = Scale not given |location = Washington, DC |publisher = American Association of State Highway Officials |date = June 27, 1958 |access-date = May 10, 2008 |via = Wikimedia Commons }}</ref> By mid-1959, Michigan's plan had been approved, with one change: I-96 would take the south leg from I-94 at [[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor]] to Grand Rapids, and the north leg to Muskegon would be I-196.<ref>{{cite news |work = [[The Herald-Palladium|The Herald-Press]] |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |title = Spring to Bring Debut for Interstate Road Numbering |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21787195/spring_to_bring_debut_for_interstate/ |date = January 8, 1959 |agency = [[Associated Press]] |page = 5 |oclc = 10117184 |access-date = July 11, 2018 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref>

Construction of the Brighton–Farmington Expressway piece of the US&nbsp;16 upgrade began in 1956,<ref>{{cite news |work = The Holland Evening Sentinel |title = Road Plans Revised |date = June 30, 1956 |page = 1 |issn = 1050-4044 |oclc = 13440201 }}</ref> and, when a {{convert|4|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} piece opened on August 1, 1957, it was the first section of funded Interstate to open in Michigan.<ref>{{cite web |first = Frank E. |last = Kelley |publisher = [[Michigan State Transportation Commission]] |url = http://michigan.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT-Trans-Comm-Minutes-06-29-06_166647_7.pdf |title = Meeting Minutes |date = June 29, 2006 |access-date = May 10, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080410053907/https://michigan.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT-Trans-Comm-Minutes-06-29-06_166647_7.pdf |archive-date = April 10, 2008 }}</ref> The entire {{convert|23|mi|km|adj=on}} freeway from east of [[Brighton, Michigan|Brighton]] to a bypass of [[Farmington, Michigan|Farmington]] was completed in December of that year.<ref>{{cite news |work = [[Ironwood Daily Globe]] |agency = Associated Press |title = Expressway to Be Opened by Dec.&nbsp;13 |page = 10 |oclc = 10890811 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21787348/expressway_to_be_opened_by_dec_13/ |date = December 6, 1957 |access-date = July 11, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> By early 1959, when signs for I-96 and I-196 were posted, {{convert|59|mi|km}} of the "Detroit–Muskegon Freeway" had been completed and marked as US&nbsp;16.<ref name=newsigns>{{cite news |work = [[Holland Sentinel|The Holland Evening Sentinel]] |title = New Highway Signs |url = https://newspaperarchive.com/politics-clipping-feb-25-1959-1208152/ |date = February 25, 1959 |page = 1 |issn = 1050-4044 |oclc = 13440201 |access-date = June 4, 2019 |via = [[NewspaperArchive.com]] }}</ref> With the opening of {{convert|51|mi|km}} from west of Lansing to east of [[Howell, Michigan|Howell]], the entire route, except in the Detroit area, opened for travel on December 12, 1962.<ref>{{cite news |work = [[The Milwaukee Sentinel]] |title = Michigan Freeway Hits 1,000th Mile <!--|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YGtQAAAAIBAJ&pg=4597,3072250--> |date = December 13, 1962 |at = part&nbsp;1, p.&nbsp;12 |issn = 1052-4479 |oclc = 11723897 <!--|via = [[Google News]]--> }}</ref> US&nbsp;16 was decommissioned in the state at that time;<ref>{{cite news |work = The Holland Evening Sentinel |title = Drop US&nbsp;16 Designation |date = April 14, 1962 |page = 2 |issn = 1050-4044 |oclc = 13440201 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10217982/drop_us_16_designation/ |access-date = April 12, 2017 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref><!--says by the end of the year--> the portions into Muskegon and Detroit, beyond the ends of the freeway, became separate related highways named [[Interstate 196 Business (Muskegon, Michigan)|Business Spur I-196]] (BS&nbsp;I-196) for Muskegon and [[Interstate 96 Business (Detroit, Michigan)|BS I-96]] for Detroit.<ref name="MSHD64">{{cite MDOT map |year= 1964 |sections=K7, M13 }}</ref>

In 1963, the [[Michigan State Highway Department]] petitioned AASHO to again make the change it had requested back in 1958, moving I-96 over I-196 to end at Muskegon and renumbering I-96 west of Grand Rapids to I-67. The state cited problems with destination signing and numerous complaints from the public about confusion caused by the numbering.<ref>{{cite news |work = The Holland Evening Sentinel |title = Muskegon Freeway Link Number Change Sought |date = August 24, 1963 |page = 1 |issn = 1050-4044 |oclc = 13440201 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10217998/muskegon_freeway_link_number_change/ |access-date = April 12, 2017 |via = Newspapers.com |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071317/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10217998/muskegon_freeway_link_number_change/ |archive-date = April 13, 2017 }}</ref> At their October 21, 1963, meeting, AASHO approved the relocation of I-96, but rejected I-67, stating that the number should be kept for a more major route in case the system is expanded, and instead assigned I-196 to the not-yet-complete Benton Harbor–Grand Rapids highway.<ref>{{cite news |work = The Holland Evening Sentinel |title = New Numbers Seen for Road |page = 4 |date = October 23, 1963 |agency = [[United Press International]] |issn = 1050-4044 |oclc = 13440201 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10217809/new_numbers_seen_for_road/ |access-date = April 12, 2016 |via = Newspapers.com |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170412145756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10217809/new_numbers_seen_for_road/ |archive-date = April 12, 2017 }}</ref> The signage was switched in January 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title = Route Number Changes Slated |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13834440/i196_december_12_1963/ |work = [[Lansing State Journal]] |date = December 12, 1963 |page = 10 |oclc = 61312043 |access-date = September 17, 2017 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> With the scheduled completion of the [[Lodge Freeway]] on October 29, 1964, a full freeway route was available from I-96 into downtown Detroit via I-696 and the Lodge,<ref>{{cite news |work = The Holland Evening Sentinel |title = Lodge Road to be Opened |date = October 28, 1964 |agency = United Press International |page = 5 |issn = 1050-4044 |oclc = 13440201 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10218043/lodge_road_to_be_opened/ |access-date = April 12, 2017 |via = Newspapers.com |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10218043/lodge_road_to_be_opened/ |archive-date = April 13, 2017 }}</ref> but it would be some time before I-96 was finished into the city.<ref name=kulsea>{{cite book |first1 = Bill |last1 = Kulsea |first2 = Tom |last2 = Shawver |year = 1980 |title = Making Michigan Move: A History of Michigan Highways and the Michigan Department of Transportation |url = https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Making_Michigan_Move#27 |location = Lansing |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |page = 27 |oclc = 8169232 |name-list-style = amp |access-date = January 18, 2021 |via = [[Wikisource]] }}</ref>

===Construction of the Jeffries Freeway===
The Detroit Expressway and Transit System plan, prepared in 1945 for the city of Detroit, included a Grand River Expressway, which was to parallel Grand River Avenue into downtown and relieve [[traffic congestion|congestion]] on that artery. A rail line would be built in the [[median (road)|median]] of the freeway west of West Chicago Street, where [[streetcar]]s would exit onto the existing surface tracks on Grand River Avenue into downtown. The plan called for a future conversion to [[rapid transit]] with a grade-separated route to downtown.<ref>{{cite book |last = Andrews |first = W. Earle. |title = Detroit Expressway and Transit System |year = 1945 |location = New York |publisher = Detroit Transportation Board |oclc = 7195393 }}</ref> The [[Department of Street Railways]] determined in 1947 that the operation would cost $6&nbsp;million per year (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|6000000|1947|r=-5}}}}/yr in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}), and the planned transit line was dropped from the plans. By 1961, the proposed highway was renamed the Jeffries Freeway, after [[Edward Jeffries]], who served as [[List of mayors of Detroit|Detroit mayor]] from 1940 to 1948.<ref>{{cite news |work = [[The Detroit News]] |title = Detroit Will Stay Accessible During I-75 Shutdown |date = January 18, 1999 |issn = 1055-2715 |oclc = 137348716 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Malo |first = Alger F. |date = January 1961 |title = The Relation of Mass Transportation to Total Transportation in Detroit |magazine = [[Traffic Quarterly]] |location = New York |publisher = [[Eno Foundation|Eno Foundation for Highway Traffic Control]] |volume = 15 |issue = 1 |pages = 226–41 |issn = 0041-0713 |oclc = 1695558 }}</ref>

[[File:I-96 Express and Local lanes.jpg|thumb|Approaching where the Jeffries Freeway (I-96) splits into Express and Local lanes in Detroit|alt=Photograph showing]]
Originally, the route of I-96 from the east end of the existing freeway in Farmington through Detroit, named the Jeffries Freeway (commonly referred to as simply "the Jeffries"), was to closely parallel Grand River Avenue (formerly US&nbsp;16).<ref name="YBD">{{cite map |map-url = http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Detroit,_Michigan_1955_Yellow_Book.jpg |title = General Location of National System of Interstate Highways Including All Additional Routes at Urban Areas Designated in September 1955 |author = Bureau of Public Roads |location = Washington, DC |publisher = US Government Printing Office |map = Detroit and Environs |scale = Scale not given |page = 41 |date = September 1955 |oclc = 4165975 |access-date = September 6, 2010 |via = Wikimedia Commons }}</ref> However, by 1963, several [[freeway revolt]]s were taking place in urban locations throughout the country, including Detroit. Several of Detroit's planned freeways were modified, scaled back, or outright cancelled. To minimize the impact to existing communities and businesses, it was decided that the Jeffries Freeway would no longer utilize the Grand River Avenue corridor. Instead, the new I-96 freeway corridor would partially use [[right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]] from the [[C&O Railroad]] through the city of Livonia (ultimately being built over Schoolcraft Road), and utilize the planned I-275 freeway bypassing Detroit to the west to connect back to the existing freeway.<ref name=study>{{cite book |type = Report |author = Michigan State Highway Department |year = 1964 |title = I-96 Freeway Planning and Route Location Study, City of Detroit |volume = 1 |location = Lansing |publisher = Michigan State Highway Department |page = 20 }}</ref>

The first piece of the Jeffries Freeway connected the [[Fisher Freeway]] (I-75) with the [[Edsel Ford Freeway]] (I-94) in 1970.<ref name=MDSH70>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1970 |section= E8 |inset= Detroit }}</ref><ref name=MDSH71>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1971|section= E8 |inset= Detroit }}</ref> It was extended northwest to Livernois Avenue (exit&nbsp;188A) in July 1971,<ref name=barnettJ>{{cite book |first = LeRoy |last = Barnett |year = 2004 |title = A Drive Down Memory Lane: The Named State and Federal Highways of Michigan |location = Allegan Forest, Michigan |publisher = Priscilla Press |pages = 120–1 |isbn = 1-886167-24-9 |oclc = 57425393 }}</ref> and then to Grand River Avenue at Schaefer Highway (exit&nbsp;185) in 1973.<ref name=MDSH73>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1973 |sections= E7–E8 |inset= Detroit }}</ref><ref name=MDSHT74>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1974 |sections= E7–E8 |inset= Detroit }}</ref> In 1976, the freeway was extended west to the [[Southfield Freeway]] (exit 183), and the entire I-275 concurrent section was opened.<ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Economic Report of the Governor |last = Milliken |first = William |year = 1975 |location = Lansing, Michigan |publisher = [[Governor of Michigan|Office of the Governor]] |page = 37 |author-link = William Milliken }}</ref> The final piece was completed on November 21, 1977, connecting the Detroit section to I-275.<ref name=kulsea/> The I-96 designation was assigned along the I-275 freeway south to the Jeffries Freeway, and eastward along the new freeway to the M-39 interchange; the remaining stub of I-96 around Farmington was redesignated as an extension of [[M-102 (Michigan highway)|M-102]] (now [[M-5 (Michigan highway)|M-5]]).<ref name=MDSHT77>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1977 |sections= D5, E5–E5 |inset= Detroit }}</ref><ref name=MDSHT78>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1978 |sections= D5, E5–E5 |inset= Detroit }}</ref>

===Subsequent history===
Since the completion of I-96 in 1977, several changes to the freeway have taken place. Beginning in 1984, an extension of the [[U.S. Route 27 in Michigan|US&nbsp;27]] freeway (later to become I-69) bypassing Lansing opened; US&nbsp;27 was then cosigned with I-96 along the western side of Lansing.<ref name=MDOT84>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1984 |section= L11 }}</ref><ref name=MDOT85>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1985 |section= L11 }}</ref> Three years later, the I-69 designation was applied to this new bypass, resulting in a triple concurrency (I-96/I-69/US&nbsp;27)<ref name=MDOT86>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1986 |section= L11 }}</ref><ref name=MDOT87>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1987 |section= L11}}</ref> that existed until 2002, when US&nbsp;27 was decommissioned in Michigan.<ref name=US27D>{{cite press release |first1 = Kari |last1 = Debnar |first2 = Mark |last2 = Bott |name-list-style = amp |url = http://www.mdot.state.mi.us/communications/press/files/01-07KD-02.htm |title = US&nbsp;27 Designation Soon to Be Deleted from Michigan Highways |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |date = January 14, 2002 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020223221112/http://www.mdot.state.mi.us/communications/press/files/01-07KD-02.htm |archive-date = February 23, 2002 |access-date = March 14, 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:36th Street exit Grand Rapids I-96.jpg|left|thumb|Exit and entry ramps from the 36th Street interchange|alt=Photograph of the]]
From 2003 to 2005, the Beck Road interchange (exit 160) in [[Novi, Michigan|Novi]] was reconstructed as a [[single point urban interchange]] (SPUI), the first in the metropolitan Detroit area and the first on I-96.<ref name=kalousdian>{{cite magazine |last = Kalousdian |first = Aram |date = August 7, 2004 |title = Single Point Interchange Under Construction |magazine = Michigan Contractor and Builder |publisher = Reed Business Information |access-date = July 21, 2012 |url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124005119.html |oclc = 761993683 |url-access = subscription |via = [[HighBeam Research]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160222050335/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124005119.html |archive-date = February 22, 2016 }}</ref> An interchange between 36th Street and I-96 was built starting in 2005 and was completed in 2006. The project aimed to improve access to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport southeast of Grand Rapids.<ref name=bloemendaal>{{cite magazine |last = Bloemendaal |first = Dirk C. |date = September 2, 2006 |title = Interchange Improves Traffic Flow |magazine = Michigan Contractor and Builder |publisher = Reed Business Information |access-date = July 21, 2012 |url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150978703.html |oclc = 761993683 |url-access = subscription |via = HighBeam Research |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140610081724/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150978703.html |archive-date = June 10, 2014 }}</ref> The reconstruction of the Wixom Road interchange near Novi as a SPUI was completed in late fall of 2008.<ref name=wixom>{{cite magazine |last = Kalousdian |first = Aram |date = November 3, 2008 |title = Wixom/I-96 Interchange Reconstructed |magazine = Michigan Contractor and Builder |publisher = Reed Business Information |access-date = July 21, 2012 |url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-188432574.html |oclc = 761993683 |url-access = subscription |via = HighBeam Research |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140610081723/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-188432574.html |archive-date = June 10, 2014 }}</ref> Another interchange at Latson Road in Howell was approved for construction on July 19, 2012. This interchange was designed to bring improved access to the eastern Howell area, which prior to construction of the Latson Road exit was only accessible from westbound I-96.<ref name=greenwood-2012-07-19>{{cite news |last = Greenwood |first = Tom |date = July 19, 2012 |title = $32M Interchange Project OK'd for I-96 in Livingston County |work = The Detroit News |url = http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120719/METRO05/207190432#ixzz215rs1O3s |access-date = July 19, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20240526022433/https://www.webcitation.org/69HN3dJ1d?url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120719/METRO05/207190432/1409/METRO/-32M-interchange-project-OK-d-96-Livingston-County |archive-date = May 26, 2024 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The project was completed on December 2, 2013.<ref name=behnan/> Also in 2013, the two interchanges near [[Nunica, Michigan|Nunica]] serving [[M-104 (Michigan highway)|M-104]] and [[B-31 (Michigan county highway)|B-31]] were reconstructed, with two ramps removed from the former and two added to the latter; a new partial interchange was also built in preparation of [[M-231 (Michigan highway)|M-231]],<ref name="MDOT M-231"/> which opened on October 30, 2015.<ref name=brenzing>{{cite news |url = http://fox17online.com/2015/10/30/m-231-is-now-open-for-traffic/ |title = M-231 Is Now Open for Traffic |first1 = Bob |last1 = Brenzing |first2 = Darren |last2 = Cunningham |name-list-style = amp |date = October 30, 2015 |location = Grand Rapids, Michigan |publisher = [[WXMI-TV]] |access-date = March 24, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170208042124/http://fox17online.com/2015/10/30/m-231-is-now-open-for-traffic/ |archive-date = February 8, 2017 |url-status = live }}</ref>

On April 5, 2014, MDOT closed I-96 between Newburgh Road and US&nbsp;24 (Telegraph Road). The project was estimated to cost $148&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|148000000|2014}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}), and would rebuild the {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} of roadway, replace two bridges, and repair 32 other bridges. The department also planned to install new drainage and replace the signs along I-96. The project was expected to be completed in October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first = Lauren |last = Abdel-Razzaq |date = April 5, 2014 |title = The Driving Challenge Begins with I-96 Closure |url = http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140405/METRO05/304050052/ |work = The Detroit News |access-date = April 6, 2014 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140407013036/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140405/METRO05/304050052/ |archive-date = April 7, 2014 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Instead, it was finished ahead of schedule, and that segment of I-96 was re-opened on September 21, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first = Marlon A. |last = Walker |date = September 21, 2014 |title = Yay! I-96 Is Back in the Traffic Business |url = http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2014/09/21/i96-reopening/16015635/ |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = September 22, 2014 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140922064148/http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2014/09/21/i96-reopening/16015635/ |archive-date = September 22, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Also in 2015, work began on bypassing the 1960s interchange with US&nbsp;23 near [[Brighton, Michigan|Brighton]]. A new set of through lanes was built on I-96 between the previous eastbound and westbound lanes with three new bridges over northbound and southbound US&nbsp;23, and Old US&nbsp;23. The existing lanes of I-96 were changed to be [[collector-distributor lane]]s for ramp traffic.<ref>{{cite news |first = Wayne |last = Peal |date = February 25, 2015 |url = http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/02/25/i-96-us-23-construction/23999485/ |title = I-96/US&nbsp;23 Interchange Work Set to Begin |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = April 15, 2015 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20150416143431/http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/02/25/i-96-us-23-construction/23999485/ |archive-date = April 16, 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> This project was completed in November 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/11/i-96_us_23_interchange_constru_2.html |title = I-96, US&nbsp;23 Interchange Project Complete After Two Years |last = Knake |first = Lindsay |date = November 4, 2016 |work = MLive |location = Ann Arbor, Michigan |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = May 2, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161108161257/http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/11/i-96_us_23_interchange_constru_2.html |archive-date = November 8, 2016 }}</ref>

MDOT started work to add a flex route on I-96 between Kent Lake Road and the I-275/I-696/M-5 interchange in Novi on March 21, 2022. Under this plan, the shoulders of the highway will be available as extra lanes during peak traffic periods, and indicated with overhead light systems. In addition, [[ramp meter]]s will be installed at ramps onto the freeway.<ref>{{cite AV media |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaXcQxhwqwg |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/QaXcQxhwqwg |archive-date = November 14, 2021 |url-status = live |title = I-96 Flex Route Flex Lane |date = August 30, 2021 |author = Michigan Department of Transportation |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |via = YouTube }}{{cbignore}}</ref> The construction was completed in October 2024,<ref name=hicks>{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Justin P. |title=I-96 Flex Route: How it works and when it opens |url=https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2024/10/i-96-flex-route-how-it-works-and-when-it-opens.html |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=MLive |date=October 31, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> but the flex route was not operational until March 19, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last = Marshall |first = Ryan |date = March 19, 2025 |title = Flex Route System Takes Effect Today on I-96 in Oakland County |type = Video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7S6t0XTJV8 |work = WXYZ 7 News Detroit |location = Southfield, Michigan |publisher=[[WXYZ-TV]] |access-date =  March 23, 2025 |via = YouTube |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/F7S6t0XTJV8 |archive-date = March 23, 2025 |url-status = live }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Gateway Project===
{{distinguish|text=[[Gateway Project]] in New Jersey and New York}}
Beginning on February 25, 2008, MDOT and the [[Detroit International Bridge Company]] initiated the Ambassador Gateway Project at the eastern end of I-96. The adjacent section of I-75 closed completely to traffic in both directions to start the complete reconstruction of the road to better connect I-75 and I-96 to the [[Ambassador Bridge]], and the plans included the reconstruction of a mile (1.6&nbsp;km) of I-96.<ref>{{cite news |first1 = Tom |last1 = Greenwood |first2 = Mike |last2 = Wilkinson |name-list-style = amp |title = Motorists Maneuver Through Gateway Project Maze |url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DTNB&s_site=detnews&f_site=detnews&f_sitename=Detroit+News%2C+The+%28MI%29&p_multi=DTNB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11F1AC38364084F0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |work = The Detroit News |date = February 26, 2008 |pages = 1B, 5B |access-date = October 29, 2012 |issn = 1055-2715 |oclc = 137348716 |via = [[NewsBank]] }}</ref> That segment of I-96 closed on July 14, 2008,<ref>{{cite news |title = I-96 Closes from I-94 to Rosa Parks |url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DTNB&s_site=detnews&f_site=detnews&f_sitename=Detroit+News%2C+The+%28MI%29&p_multi=DTNB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=121F41B5C8FBF510&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |work = The Detroit News |date = July 14, 2008 |page = 2B |access-date = June 6, 2013 |issn = 1055-2715 |oclc = 137348716 |via = NewsBank }}</ref> and it was scheduled to reopen a month early the following September.<ref>{{cite news |last = Greenwood |first = Tom |date = September 6, 2008 |url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DTNB&s_site=detnews&f_site=detnews&f_sitename=Detroit+News%2C+The+%28MI%29&p_multi=DTNB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=123147519E68F150&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title = Closed Stretch of I-96 near Ambassador Bridge Reopens Early |work = The Detroit News |access-date = June 6, 2013 |issn = 1055-2715 |oclc = 137348716 |via = NewsBank }}</ref> The overall project to realign ramps and connect the bridge to the freeways was mired in lawsuits between MDOT and the private company that owns the bridge. The [[Manuel Moroun|company's owner]] was jailed for [[contempt of court]] during court proceedings in early 2012.<ref>{{cite news |first1 = Matt |last1 = Helms |first2 = John |last2 = Gallagher |name-list-style = amp |date = January 12, 2012 |title = Mich. Billionaire, 84, Jailed over Bridge Dispute |url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-12/michigan-canada-ambassador-bridge/52517112/1 |work = [[USA Today]] |access-date = October 29, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130205075646/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-12/michigan-canada-ambassador-bridge/52517112/1 |archive-date = February 5, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> MDOT was later ordered to assume responsibility for construction,<ref>{{cite news |first = Jeff T. |last = Wattrick |date = March 16, 2012 |title = MDOT Launches 'Getting Gateway to the Finish Line' Social Campaign |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/03/mdot_launches_getting_gateway.html |work = MLive |location = Detroit |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = October 29, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130129174430/http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/03/mdot_launches_getting_gateway.html |archive-date = January 29, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> and the department completed the project on September 21, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |first = David |last = Muller |date = September 20, 2012 |title = Detroit Neighborhoods to See Less Truck Traffic as $230 million Gateway Plaza Opens |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2012/09/detroit_neighborhoods_to_see_l.html |work = MLive |location = Detroit |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = October 29, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130129034727/http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2012/09/detroit_neighborhoods_to_see_l.html |archive-date = January 29, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref>

===Incidents===
On January 12, 2005, a large [[multiple-vehicle collision]] consisting of over 200&nbsp;motor vehicles occurred on both directions of I-96 near [[Williamston, Michigan|Williamston]] in [[Ingham County, Michigan|Ingham County]]. Two people were killed in the incident. It was one of the largest collisions in US history and was blamed on heavy fog.<ref>{{cite news |last = Phillips |first = Lauren |url = http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2005/01/police_continue_investigation_of_massive_i96_accident |title = Police Continue Investigation of Massive I-96 Accident |work = The State News |location = [[Michigan State University]], East Lansing |date = January 20, 2005 |oclc = 6678066 |access-date = September 2, 2006 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120911013558/http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2005/01/police_continue_investigation_of_massive_i96_accident |archive-date = September 11, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

In October 2012, reports of a sniper shooting cars along I-96 in four counties led to a federal investigation and a multi-jurisdictional task force of 100&nbsp;law enforcement officials. As of October 30, 2012, 25&nbsp;shootings had been linked to one suspect.<ref name=WSJ2012-10-30>{{cite news |first = Matthew |last = Dolan |date = October 30, 2012 |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204789304578087103628754318?KEYWORDS=cars |title = Drivers Fear Sniper May Prowl Michigan Highway |work = [[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date = October 30, 2012 |url-access = subscription |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130209133811/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204789304578087103628754318.html?KEYWORDS=cars |archive-date = February 9, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> The [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]], the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]], and [[Crime Stoppers]] offered a $102,000 (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|102000|2012|r=-3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}) reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.<ref name=WXYZ2012-10-29>{{cite news |author = Web Staff |url = http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/102000-reward-for-information-leading-to-i-96-area-shooter |title = $102,000 Reward for Information Leading to I-96 Area Shooter |location = Detroit |publisher = [[WXYZ-TV]] |date = October 29, 2012 |access-date = October 30, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121101011313/http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/102000-reward-for-information-leading-to-i-96-area-shooter |archive-date = November 1, 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The suspect, Raulie Casteel of [[Wixom, Michigan|Wixom]], was arrested on November 5, 2012,<ref>{{cite news |first = Lori |last = Dougovito |date = November 6, 2012 |url = http://www.abc12.com/story/20016773/ingham-county-sheriff-confirms-person-arrested-questioned-in-highway-shootings |title = Task Force Confirms Suspect Arrested in Highway Shootings |location = Flint, Michigan |publisher = [[WJRT-TV]] |access-date = November 6, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20240526135212/https://www.webcitation.org/6F0NDgSrt?url=http://www.abc12.com/story/20016773/ingham-county-sheriff-confirms-person-arrested-questioned-in-highway-shootings%20%7Ctitle%3D%20Task%20Force%20Confirms%20Suspect%20Arrested%20in%20Highway%20Shootings |archive-date = May 26, 2024 |url-status = dead }}</ref> and ordered to stand trial in 2013 in Oakland County for 60&nbsp;charges in one case,<ref>{{cite news |first = John |last = Turk |date = May 30, 2013 |title = Jury Trial for Accused I-96 Corridor Shooter Postponed 5&nbsp;Months |url = http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/05/30/news/cops_and_courts/doc51a77b3748f30235101472.txt?viewmode=fullstory |work = [[The Oakland Press]] |location = Pontiac, Michigan |access-date = June 6, 2013 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130620210333/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/05/30/news/cops_and_courts/doc51a77b3748f30235101472.txt?viewmode=fullstory |archive-date = June 20, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> with a second trial on terrorism and murder charges to be brought by the [[Michigan Attorney General]].<ref>{{cite news |date = May 31, 2013 |title = I-96 Shooter Suspect's Trial Is in Nov. |url = http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/se_mich/i-96-shooter-suspect-trial-is-in-november |location = Grand Rapids, Michigan |publisher = [[WOOD-TV]] |agency = Associated Press |access-date = June 6, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130620210314/http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/se_mich/i-96-shooter-suspect-trial-is-in-november |archive-date = June 20, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> On October 30, 2013, the suspect pleaded [[Nolo contendere|no contest, but mentally ill]], in the Oakland County case,<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/10/suspect_in_i-96_shooting_spree.html |title = Suspect in I-96 Shooting Spree Pleads No Contest to Some Charges, Still Faces Terrorism Trial |work = The Grand Rapids Press |date = October 30, 2013 |first = Khalil |last = AlHajal |access-date = November 24, 2013 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20131124051040/http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/10/suspect_in_i-96_shooting_spree.html |archive-date = November 24, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> and he was sentenced to serve anywhere from six years and eight months to 10 years in prison on multiple assault charges (as well as two concurrent years on weapons charges) for that case on February 4, 2014. The trial for the Livingston County case began on January 14, 2014,<ref>{{cite news |first = Corey |last = Williams |date = February 4, 2013 |url = http://news.msn.com/crime-justice/mich-highway-shooter-gets-more-than-61-2-years |title = Mich. Highway Shooter Gets More than 6½ Years |work = MSN News |agency = Associated Press |access-date = February 4, 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140209204121/http://news.msn.com/crime-justice/mich-highway-shooter-gets-more-than-61-2-years |archive-date = February 9, 2014 }}</ref> and after being convicted on the terrorism charge, Casteel was sentenced to 16 to 40 years in state prison.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.wxyz.com/news/convicted-i-96-shooter-raulie-casteel-sentenced-to-16-to-40-years-in-prison-for-terrorism |title = Convicted I-96 Shooter Raulie Casteel Sentenced to 16 to 40&nbsp;years in Prison for Terrorism |location = Detroit |publisher = WXYZ-TV |date = March 3, 2014 |access-date = March 5, 2014 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140305235504/http://www.wxyz.com/news/convicted-i-96-shooter-raulie-casteel-sentenced-to-16-to-40-years-in-prison-for-terrorism |archive-date = March 5, 2014 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Exit list==
{{MIinttop|exit|ref=<ref name=PRFA>{{cite MDOT PRFA |access-date= June 30, 2012}}</ref>}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Muskegon
|cspan=4
|location=Norton Shores
|mile=0.000
|exit=1
|road={{jct|state=MI|US|31|Tour|LMCT|dir2=south|city1=Grand Haven|city2=Ludington|city3=Muskegon|road|Airline Road}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|US-Bus|31|Tour|LMCT|dir2=north|dab1=Muskegon|dir1=north|city1=Downtown Muskegon}}
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;1A (south, Grand Haven, Airline Road) and 1B (north, Ludington, Muskegon) for US&nbsp;31; no eastbound exit to Airline Road; freeway continues west as Bus. US&nbsp;31; exit&nbsp;110 on US&nbsp;31
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Fruitport Township
|lspan=3
|mile=0.293
|exit=1C
|type=incomplete
|road=Hile Road
|notes=Eastbound exit and entrance only; westbound access is at exit&nbsp;1A; provides access from northbound US&nbsp;31 to eastbound I-96
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=3.517
|exit=4
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|Airline Road|city1=Fruitport}}
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=5.100
|exit=5
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|Fruitport Road|city1=Fruitport}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; trucks and commercial vehicles must use exit&nbsp;4 instead
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Ottawa
|cspan=7
|location=Crockery Township
|lspan=2
|mile=8.877
|mile2=9.292
|exit=9
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|104|city1=Grand Haven|city2=Spring Lake|dir1=west}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|M|231|dir1=south|name1=120th Avenue}}
|notes=Formerly directional access (eastbound to eastbound and westbound to westbound only), with eastbound exit signed as B-31, Nunica; new eastbound exit and westbound entrance built 2013, connecting to M-231; eastern terminus of M-104 and northern terminus of M-231<ref name="MDOT M-231">{{cite news |first = Michelle D. |last = Anderson |date = November 15, 2013 |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2013/11/m-231_project_update_mdot_open.html |title = M-231 Project Update: MDOT Opens Nearly All Lanes and Ramps at New I-96 Interchange |work = MLive |publisher = [[Booth Newspapers]] |access-date = September 23, 2014 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140923180503/http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2013/11/m-231_project_update_mdot_open.html |archive-date = September 23, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref>
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=10.081
|exit=10
|road={{jct|state=MI|CDH|B-31|county1=Ottawa|city1=Nunica}}
|notes=Converted to full interchange in late 2013; eastbound exit and westbound entrance were previously at exit 9<ref name="MDOT M-231"/>
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Coopersville
|lspan=2
|mile=15.991
|exit=16
|road={{jct|state=MI|CDH|B-35|county1=Ottawa|city1=Coopersville|city2=Eastmanville}}
|notes=Westbound entrance via Randall Avenue
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=18.584
|exit=19
|road=[[Lamont, Michigan|Lamont]], [[Coopersville, Michigan|Coopersville]]
|notes=Connects to 48th Avenue
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Wright Township
|ctdab=Ottawa
|mile=22.805
|exit=23
|road=[[Marne, Michigan|Marne]]
|notes=Connects to 16th Avenue via Jackson Street (eastbound) and Franklin Street (westbound)
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Tallmadge Township
|lspan=2
|mile=23.939
|exit=24
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|11|city1=Walker|city2=Grandville}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; western terminus of M-11
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=24.215
|exit=25
|type=incomplete
|road=8th Avenue, 4 Mile Road
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; westbound access to M-11
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Kent
|cspan=14
|location=Walker
|lspan=4
|mile=26.430
|exit=26
|road=Fruit Ridge Avenue
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=28.367
|exit=28
|road=Walker Avenue
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=30.295
|exit=30
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|37|dir1=north|name1=Alpine Avenue|city1=Newaygo}}
|notes=Western end of M-37 concurrency; signed as exits 30A (south) and 30B (north) westbound
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=30.711
|mile2=31.440
|exit=31
|road={{jct|state=MI|US|131|name1=[[Interstate 296|I-296]] south|city1=Grand Rapids|city2=Kalamazoo|city3=Big Rapids|city4=Cadillac}}
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;31A (south) and 31B (north); northern terminus of unsigned I-296; exit&nbsp;89 on US&nbsp;131
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Grand Rapids
|lspan=4
|mile=33.063
|exit=33
|road={{jct|state=MI|M-Conn|44|name1=Plainfield Avenue|dir1=east}}
|notes=Western terminus of Conn. M-44
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=36.533
|exit=36
|road=Leonard Street
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=37.073
|exit=37
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|196|dir1=west|name1=Gerald R. Ford Freeway|city1=Downtown Grand Rapids|city2=Holland}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; eastern terminus of I-196
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=37.801
|exit=38
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|37|dir1=south|to2=to|M|21|name1=East Beltline Avenue}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|M|44|dir1=east|name1=East Beltline Avenue}}
|notes=Eastern end of M-37 concurrency; M-21 signed westbound only; western terminus of M-44
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Grand Rapids Township
|lspan=2
|mile=38.687
|mile2=38.788
|exit=39
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|21|city1=Lowell|city2=Flint}}
|notes=No westbound exit or eastbound entrance from westbound M-21; missing connections at exit&nbsp;38
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=40.014
|exit=40
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|Cascade Road|location1=[[Cascade Township, Michigan|Cascade]]}}
|notes=Former [[U.S. Route 16 in Michigan|US&nbsp;16]]
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Cascade Township
|lspan=3
|mile=42.986
|exit=43
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|11|dir1=west|name1=28th Street|location1=[[Cascade Township, Michigan|Cascade]]}}
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;43A (west) and 43B (east); eastern terminus of M-11
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=44.165
|mile2=44.174
|exit=44
|road=36th Street
|notes=Signed as access to [[Gerald R. Ford International Airport]]
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=45.776
|mile2=46.015
|exit=46
|road={{nowrap|{{jct|state=MI|M|6|city1=Holland|dir1=west}}}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of M-6
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Lowell Township
|mile=52.303
|exit=52
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|50|city1=Charlotte|city2=Lowell|dir1=east}}
|notes=Western terminus of M-50
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Ionia
|cspan=6
|location=Boston Township
|mile=58.912
|exit=59
|road=[[Saranac, Michigan|Saranac]], [[Clarksville, Michigan|Clarksville]]
|notes=Saranac signed eastbound only; connects to Nash Highway
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Berlin Township
|ctdab=Ionia
|lspan=2
|mile=64.429
|exit=64
|road=[[Saranac, Michigan|Saranac]], [[Lake Odessa, Michigan|Lake Odessa]]
|notes=Saranac signed westbound only; connects to Jordan Lake Road
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=67.427
|exit=67
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|66|city1=Ionia|city2=Battle Creek}}
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Orange Township
|ctdab=Ionia
|mile=73.291
|exit=73
|road=Portland Road, [[Grand River Avenue]]
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Portland
|lspan=2
|mile=76.071
|exit=76
|road=Kent Street
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=77.493
|exit=77
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|[[Grand River Avenue]]|city1=Portland}}
|notes=Former [[Interstate 96 Business (Portland, Michigan)|BS I-96]]; Portland signed westbound only
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Clinton
|cspan=5
|location=Eagle
|mile=83.617
|exit=84
|road=[[Westphalia, Michigan|Westphalia]], [[Eagle, Michigan|Eagle]]
|notes=Connects to Grange Road; westbound connection via Clark Road
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Eagle Township
|mile=86.273
|exit=86
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|100|city1=Grand Ledge|name1=Wright Road|dir1=south}}
|notes=Northern terminus of M-100
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Watertown Township
|ctdab=Clinton
|lspan=3
|mile=89.670
|exit=89
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|69|dir1=east|city1=Flint}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; exit&nbsp;81 on I-69
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=90.040
|exit=90
|road={{jct|state=MI|BL|96|dir1=east|dab1=Lansing|name1=[[Grand River Avenue]]}}
|notes=Western terminus of BL I-96; signed westbound as only Grand River Avenue
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=90.466
|exit=91
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|69|dir1=east|city1=Flint}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; western end of I-69 concurrency
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Eaton
|cspan=4
|location=Delta Township
|lspan=3
|mile=93.118
|exit=93
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|43|BL|69|dir2=east|dab2=Lansing|name2=Saginaw Highway|city1=Grand Ledge}}
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;93A (west) and 93B (east)
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=94.579
|mile2=94.815
|exit=95
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|496|dir1=east|city1=Downtown Lansing}}
|notes=Western terminus of I-496
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=96.667
|mile2=96.687
|exit=97
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|69|dir1=south|city1=Charlotte|location1=[[Fort Wayne, Indiana|Fort Wayne]]}}
|notes=Eastern end of I-69 concurrency; exit&nbsp;72 on I-69
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Windsor Township
|mile=97.847
|mile2=97.858
|exit=98
|road=Lansing Road
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;98A (south) and 98B (north); former [[U.S. Route 27 in Michigan|US&nbsp;27]]
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Ingham
|cspan=6
|location=Lansing
|lspan=2
|mile=101.425
|exit=101
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|99|city1=Eaton Rapids|name1=M L King Boulevard
}}
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=104.395
|mile2=104.404
|exit=104
|road={{jct|state=MI|BL|96|dab1=Lansing|dir1=west|name1=Cedar Street|city1=Holt}}
|notes=Indirect access to Cedar Street, requires exiting onto a [[trumpet interchange]] with Edgewood Boulevard; eastern terminus of BL I-96; signed eastbound as only Cedar Street
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Delhi Township
|mile=106.490
|mile2=106.518
|exit=106
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|496|dir1=west|US|127|city1=Jackson|city2=East Lansing|city3=Downtown Lansing}}
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;106A (south) and 106B (north); eastern terminus of I-496; exit&nbsp;73 on US&nbsp;127
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Alaiedon Township
|mile=109.732
|exit=110
|road=[[Okemos, Michigan|Okemos]], [[Mason, Michigan|Mason]]
|notes=Connects to Okemos Road
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Wheatfield Township
|mile=117.504
|exit=117
|road=[[Dansville, Michigan|Dansville]], [[Williamston, Michigan|Williamston]]
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;117A (Dansville) and 117B (Williamston) eastbound; connects to Williamston Road
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Webberville
|mile=121.914
|exit=122
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|43|dir1=west|M|52|city1=Webberville|city2=Stockbridge}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of M-43
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Livingston
|cspan=10
|location=Fowlerville
|mile=128.493
|exit=129
|road=[[Fowlerville, Michigan|Fowlerville]]
|notes=Connects to Grand Avenue
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Howell Township
|mile=133.305
|exit=133
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|59|dir1=east|BL|96|dab2=Howell|dir2=east|city1=Howell|city2=Pontiac|name2=Highland Road}}
|notes=Western terminus of BL I-96 and M-59; signage eastbound omits Highland Road; signage westbound omits BL I-96, Howell, and Pontiac
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Howell
|mile=136.799
|exit=137
|road={{nowrap|{{jct|state=MI|CDH|D-19|county1=Livingston|city1=Howell|city2=Pinckney|dir1=south}}}}
|notes=Northern terminus of D-19
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Genoa Township
|lspan=2
|mile=140.113
|exit=140
|road=Latson Road
|notes=Opened December 2, 2013<ref name=behnan>{{cite news |first = Christopher |last = Behnan |date = December 2, 2013 |title = Long-Awaited Latson Road Interchange Ready to Roll |url = http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20131202/NEWS01/131202005/Long-awaited-Latson-Road-interchange-ready-roll |work = [[Livingston County Daily Press & Argus]] |location = Howell, Michigan |access-date = December 2, 2013 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20131202201559/http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20131202/NEWS01/131202005/Long-awaited-Latson-Road-interchange-ready-roll |archive-date = December 2, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=141.218
|exit=141
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|BL|96|dab1=Howell|dir1=west|city1=Howell}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance from eastbound Grand River only; eastern terminus of BL I-96
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Brighton
|mile=145.130
|exit=145
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|[[Grand River Avenue]]|city1=Brighton}}
|notes=Signage westbound omits Brighton
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Brighton Township
|lspan=4
|mile=146.768
|exit=147
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|Spencer Road|city1=Brighton}}
|notes=Signage eastbound omits Brighton; connected to exit&nbsp;148 westbound
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=147.578
|mile2=147.755
|exit=148
|road={{jct|state=MI|US|23|city1=Ann Arbor|city2=Flint}}
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;148A (south) and 148B (north); exit&nbsp;60 on US&nbsp;23
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=149.458
|exit=150
|type=incomplete
|road=Pleasant Valley Road
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=151.056
|exit=151
|road=Kensington Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Oakland
|cspan=8
|location=Lyon Township
|ctdab=Oakland
|lspan=2
|mile=152.887
|exit=153
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|Kent Lake Road|city1=South Lyon}}
|notes=Only South Lyon signed eastbound
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=154.900
|exit=155
|road=[[New Hudson, Michigan|New Hudson]], [[Milford, Michigan|Milford]]
|notes=Connects to Milford Road; signed as exits&nbsp;155A (New Hudson) and 155B (Milford) westbound
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Wixom
|mile=159.236
|exit=159
|road=Wixom Road
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Novi
|lspan=4
|mile=160.299
|mile2=160.313
|exit=160
|road={{jct|state=MI|road|Beck Road|city1=Novi}}
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=162.413
|exit=162
|road=[[Walled Lake, Michigan|Walled Lake]], [[Novi, Michigan|Novi]], [[Northville, Michigan|Northville]]
|notes=Northville signed eastbound only; Walled Lake signed westbound only; connects to Novi Road
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=163.381
|exit=163
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|696|dir1=east|name1=Reuther Freeway|city1=Port Huron}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|M|5|dir1=east|road|[[Grand River Avenue]]}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|I|275|dir1=south|location1=[[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]]}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; western terminus of I-696; exit&nbsp;1 on I-696
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=163.818
|exit=164
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|5|dir1=north|road|12 Mile Road}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Farmington Hills
|mile=164.964
|exit=165
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|696|dir1=east|name1=Reuther Freeway|city1=Port Huron}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|M|5|road|[[Grand River Avenue]]}}
|notes=Northern end of I-275 concurrency; westbound exit and eastbound entrance; westbound access to 12&nbsp;Mile Road; exit&nbsp;1 on I-696
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county1=Oakland
|county2=Wayne
|location_special=[[Farmington Hills, Michigan|Farmington Hills]]–[[Livonia, Michigan|Livonia]] city line
|mile=167.383
|exit=167
|road={{nowrap|{{jct|state=MI|road|[[8&nbsp;Mile Road]]|city1=Northville}}}}
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|county=Wayne
|cspan=29
|location=Livonia
|lspan=2
|mile=168.440
|exit=169
|road=7&nbsp;Mile Road
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;169A (west) and 169B (east) westbound
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=169.438
|exit=170
|road=6&nbsp;Mile Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Plymouth Township
|mile=170.503
|mile2=171.610
|exit=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|275|dir1=south|location1=[[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]]}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|M|14|dir1=west|city1=Ann Arbor}}
|notes=Southern end of I-275 concurrency; exit&nbsp;29 on I-275 northbound; eastern terminus of M-14
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Livonia
|lspan=4
|mile=172.365
|exit=173
|road=Newburgh Road, Levan Road
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;173A (Newburgh Road) and 173B (Levan Road) westbound
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=174.366
|exit=174
|road=Farmington Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=175.369
|exit=175
|road=Merriman Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=176.374
|exit=176
|road=Middle Belt Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Redford Township
|lspan=3
|mile=177.372
|exit=177
|road=Inkster Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=178.341
|exit=178
|road=Beech-Daly Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=179.303
|mile2=179.345
|exit=179
|road={{jct|state=MI|US|24|name1=[[Telegraph Road (Michigan)|Telegraph Road]]}}
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Detroit
|lspan=19
|mile=180.328
|mile2=180.355
|exit=180
|road=[[Outer Drive]]
|notes=
}}
{{jctplace|exit
|mile=180.465
|place=Western end of express lanes
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=181.488
|exit=182
|road=Evergreen Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=182.527
|mile2=182.559
|exit=183
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|39|name1=Southfield Freeway}}
|notes=Additional westbound exit and eastbound entrance on the express lanes; exit&nbsp;11A on M-39
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=183.505
|mile2=183.515
|exit=184
|road=Greenfield Road
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=184.575
|mile2=184.700
|exit=185
|road=Schaefer Highway, [[Grand River Avenue]] ([[M-5 (Michigan highway)|M-5]])
|notes=Former eastern terminus of M-5
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=185.579
|mile2=185.586
|exit=186A
|road=Wyoming Avenue
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=185.935
|mile2=186.141
|exit=186B
|type=incomplete
|road=Davison Avenue ([[M-8 (Michigan highway)|M-8]])
|notes=Western terminus of M-8; no exits to westbound Davison Avenue
}}
{{jctplace|exit
|mile=186.362
|place=Eastern end of express lanes}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=186.996
|exit=187
|type=incomplete
|road=[[Grand River Avenue]] ([[M-5 (Michigan highway)|M-5]])
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=187.452
|mile2=187.880
|exit=188
|road=[[Livernois Avenue]], West Chicago Avenue, Joy Road
|notes=Signed as exits&nbsp;188A (Livernois Avenue, West Chicago Avenue) and 188B (Joy Road) westbound; West Chicago Avenue signed westbound only
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=189.070
|mile2=189.107
|exit=189
|road=Tireman Avenue, West Grand Boulevard
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=189.791
|mile2=189.818
|exit=190A
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|94|name1=Edsel Ford Freeway|city1=Port Huron|location2= [[Chicago]]}}
|notes=Exit&nbsp;213B on I-94
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=190.093
|exit=190B
|road=Warren Avenue
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=190.857
|mile2=191.233
|exit=191
|road={{jct|state=MI|US|12|name1=[[Michigan Avenue (Michigan)|Michigan Avenue]]}}<br/>M L King Jr. Boulevard
|notes=
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=190.933
|exit=—
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|75|dir1=north|name1=Fisher Freeway|city1=Flint}}<br />{{jct|state=MI|M|10|name1=Lodge Freeway|location1=Civic Center}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; exit&nbsp;48 on I-75
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=191.466
|exit=192A
|type=incomplete
|road= Vernor Highway
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=191.966
|exit=192B
|type=incomplete
|road={{flagicon|Canada|size=x24px}} [[Ambassador Bridge|Bridge]] to [[Canada]]
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=192.032
|exit=—
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|75|dir1=south|name1=Fisher Freeway|location1=[[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]]}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; exit&nbsp;48 on I-75
}}
{{jctbtm|keys=concur,incomplete|exit}}

==Related trunklines==

===Auxiliary Interstates===
I-96 has four related, [[List of auxiliary Interstate Highways|auxiliary Interstate highways]] that connect the main freeway to downtowns and other cities. [[Interstate 196|I-196]] is a relatively long freeway spur, beginning at I-96 east of downtown [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]] and heading west through downtown to [[Holland, Michigan|Holland]], and then south to I-94 near [[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor]].<ref name=MDOT12/> The unsigned [[Interstate 296|I-296]] connects I-96 north of downtown Grand Rapids with I-196 in downtown,<ref name=PRFA/> and it is signed as US&nbsp;131. [[Interstate 496|I-496]] is a loop through downtown [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]], which I-96 bypasses to the south, and [[Interstate 696|I-696]] is a northern bypass of [[Detroit]], connecting I-96 in [[Novi, Michigan|Novi]] with I-75 in [[Royal Oak, Michigan|Royal Oak]] and I-94 in [[St. Clair Shores, Michigan|St. Clair Shores]].<ref name=MDOT12/>

===Business routes===
{{main|Business routes of Interstate 96}}
There have been six business routes of I-96 in [[Michigan]]. There are two [[business loop]]s designated Business Loop I-96 (BL I-96): one through [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]] and one through [[Howell, Michigan|Howell]].<ref name=MDOT12/> Both follow the old route of [[U.S. Route 16 in Michigan|US&nbsp;16]], with appropriate connections to I-96.<ref name="MSHD64"/> There are three former [[business spur]]s that were designated Business Spur I-96 (BS I-96). One connected to the carferry docks in [[Muskegon, Michigan|Muskegon]], [[concurrency (road)|running concurrently]] with part of [[U.S. Route 31 Business (Muskegon, Michigan)|Business US&nbsp;31]] (Bus. US&nbsp;31) along former US&nbsp;16, but it has been eliminated.<ref name=MDOT84M>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1984 |inset= Muskegon}}</ref><ref name=MDOT85M>{{cite MDOT map |year= 1985 |inset= Muskegon}}</ref> The second spur ran into downtown [[Portland, Michigan|Portland]] until it was decommissioned in 2007.<ref name="MDOT103107">{{cite web |title = Contract Number&nbsp;103107 |author = Michigan Department of Transportation |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |url = http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/greatlakesroads/message/12608 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130105160836/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/greatlakesroads/message/12608 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 5, 2013 |date = October 31, 2007 |access-date = November 2, 2007 |url-access = registration }}<!--Patrick Allen is an employee of MDOT.--></ref> Two routes in the Detroit area—a loop through [[Farmington, Michigan|Farmington]] and a spur into [[Detroit]]—both using [[Grand River Avenue]], and meeting at the temporary end of I-96 near Purdue Avenue, were eliminated when I-96 was moved to the completed Jeffries Freeway in 1977.<ref name=MDSHT77/><ref name=MDSHT78/> The Farmington business route is still state-maintained as an [[unsigned highway]], while the Detroit business route remained unsigned until it was decommissioned in 2016 and replaced by an extension of [[M-5 (Michigan highway)|M-5]].<ref name=TOM19D>{{cite MDOT map |year= 2019T |inset= Detroit}}</ref>

==See also==
*{{portal-inline|Michigan Highways}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Interstate 96}}
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
*{{osmrelation-inline|84773|I-96}}
*[http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/I-096.html I-96] at Michigan Highways
*[http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-096.html I-96] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318175641/http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-096.html |date=March 18, 2015 }} at AARoad's Interstate Guide
*[http://www.aaroads.com/midwest/i-096_mi.html I-96] at AARoads
{{interstates}}
{{I-96 aux}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:I096}}
[[Category:Interstate 96| ]]
[[Category:Interstate Highway System|96]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in Michigan|96]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 16| ]]
<!--The following categories are in geographic order, please don't alphabetize! -->
[[Category:Transportation in Muskegon County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Ottawa County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Kent County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Ionia County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Clinton County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Eaton County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Ingham County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Livingston County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Oakland County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Wayne County, Michigan]]