I-696 reopens after being closed from downed power line in Oakland County

I-696 reopens after closure due to downed power lines

A night-long headache is finally over for motorists Wednesday.

FOX 2 (WJBK) - UPDATE (10:50 p.m.): Michigan State Police have now reopened both sides of I-696 in Royal Oak after it was closed nearly six hours.

The wires have been removed and the freeway is now back open.

The freeway was closed at Bermuda Street near Exit 17 in Royal Oak, backing traffic up for miles as police attempted to redirect the rush hour motorists.

Michigan State Police tweeted that although a downed line damaged a vehicle, there were no injuries.

"Troopers located the down power line across all lanes of traffic. E/B I 696 freeway is closed at Woodward Ave and W/B I 696 is closed at Bermuda St. Both W/B I 696 ramps from N/B and S/B I 75 are also closed. One vehicle was struck by the down power line, which caused damage to the vehicle, but no injuries were reported. DTE is currently in route to the scene to assist with the power line."

MSP expects the freeway to be reopened by 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. it tweeted at 9:30.

"Workers are continuing to repair the poles and getting the wires up and off the freeway. As of now, and if everything goes right, we are still looking at 1 to 2 more hours till the freeway reopens."

Stay with FOX 2 for more information as it becomes available.