FERNDALE, Mich. (WXYZ) — As crews prepare for another major traffic shift on Interstate 696, some Ferndale residents say the biggest problem is not congestion but the dust they say construction has left behind.
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The Restore the Reuther project is set to reach another milestone this weekend as westbound traffic shifts back to the westbound side of the freeway. The transition requires a full weekend closure in both directions.
Residents who live near the interstate say dust from the prolonged construction project has accumulated on their homes, vehicles and windows.
Martin Smith said he washes his truck every other day because of the buildup.
“Just yesterday I washed my truck and you can just see it's just dirt,” Smith said. “All day, every day, that's what I'm breathing in.”
Smith said the issue has come and gone over the past year but remains a concern because of its potential impact on health.
“I don't know what I'm breathing in,” he said.
Other neighbors, including Ed Spilker and Scotty Iulianelli, said they have also noticed dust settling throughout the area.
“Everything around here is always covered,” Spilker said. “Every time it rains, your windshield has mud residue on it.”
Iulianelli said dust frequently enters his home and has prompted concerns about local air quality.
“It's just a full-on dust storm,” he said.
Iulianelli said he filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, known as EGLE, and wants to know whether air quality from the construction zone could be contributing to respiratory problems he has recently experienced.
“I've never had breathing problems,” he said. “I'm going to urgent care because I'm like, ‘What is this?’”
In a statement to 7 News Detroit, MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross said the department used standard practices to reduce dust throughout the project.
“We followed industry standard practices to mitigate dust, including using water trucks daily to control dust and using vac broom trucks to sweep dust,” Cross said in an email. “We performed weekly soil erosion and sedimentation control inspections and have documented reports on file. All dust was contained to the best of our ability during the duration of this project.”
Cross said westbound I-696 traffic will move back to its permanent alignment this weekend, with eastbound lanes expected to return to normal before the end of the year as the project nears completion.
MDOT expects westbound I-696 from Interstate 75 to M-10 to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday. Most westbound ramps are also expected to reopen at that time.
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