Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Ramp metering begins this week as part of the I-96 Flex Route project in Oakland County.

Metering will occur at the following eight entrance ramps along the route between Novi and Milford Roads:

-Southbound Milford Road to eastbound I-96
-Southbound Milford Road to westbound I-96
-Northbound Milford Road to eastbound I-96
-Wixom Road to westbound I-96
-Southbound Novi Road to eastbound I-96
-Southbound Novi Road to westbound I-96
-Northbound Novi Road to eastbound I-96
-Northbound Novi Road to westbound I-96


MDOT says ramp meters have been used in many other states to reduce crashes and improve travel times by controlling the flow of traffic entering the freeway. By breaking up platoons of entering traffic, the need for drivers already on the freeway to slow down is reduced and vehicles can merge more smoothly onto the freeway.

Beginning 6am Wednesday, June 18th, ramp meters will start going into operation individually over the next couple weeks in yellow flash mode.

MDOT posted a video for motorists to familiarize themselves with the new metering. That link is provided.

When the ramp meters are in full operation when freeway traffic is slower and congested, they will use the traditional green/yellow/red pattern on traffic signals.

When approaching an active ramp meter, drivers will need to form two lanes on the ramp, stop at the white line, and wait their turn for a green light at the ramp meter to proceed onto the freeway.

Ramp meters to the right and left of the ramp will alternate green signals, allowing one vehicle at a time to merge onto the freeway.

When the system is active, not stopping for the red light on a ramp meter is considered a traffic violation, the same as running a red light on a traditional traffic signal. When the system is not active, the ramp meters will flash yellow and drivers can merge onto the freeway as normal, without stopping.