Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

MDOT's 50-day closure of Grand River at I-96 in Brighton is already causing headaches for both drivers and businesses on either side of the detour signs.

"I got off at this exit here, and I ended up getting on the highway. I came around and got back off, and I was right back where I started. I was like there's a gallon of fuel," one driver told WHMI News. "Luckily, I'm working in Howell this week. But next week it could be the other side of Brighton."

An employee of the USA-2-GO at Grand River and Hilton says she's already seen a sharp decline in business.

"People are totally missing this area just to stay out of the traffic because they can't get through anywhere. And it's hurting. Everybody, not just the businesses. It's hurting the people that need to get to work and everything."

She says it's mostly people asking for directions.

"The only thing we can tell them is go back down to Latson, or take the back roads to where ever they need to get. Leave early."

MDOT's posted detour takes Brighton-bound drivers roughly 10 miles along Hilton to Old U.S. 23, and back to Grand River on the east end of Brighton.

Drivers heading toward Howell are forced to get onto eastbound I-96 down to Spencer, then Old U.S. 23, and Hilton back to Grand River.

MDOT's Facebook page offering up-to-date information on the project is linked below.