Starting Wednesday, March 19, the left shoulders of I-96 in western Oakland County will be used as flex lanes during heavy traffic periods in the morning and afternoon.

The flex lanes along I-96 between Kent Lake Road and the I-275/I-696/M-5 interchange are intended to improve safety and efficiency, according to a release from the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Green arrows on electronic signs over the left shoulders will indicate when the flex lanes are usable.

A red “X” indicates the flex lane is not open and driving in it is illegal. MDOT will open the flex lanes only when it is safe to do so.

Flex lanes will generally be in use on the eastbound side from 6-9 a.m. and on the westbound side from 3:30-6 p.m. weekdays and during traffic incidents or other events that cause congestion

Suggested speeds will be posted on the electronic signs to help reduce crashes and slow traffic before reaching a congested area.

The flex routes are monitored by MDOT’s transportation operations centers, which house dispatchers from MDOT and the Michigan State Police around the clock.

The agencies share information by monitoring traffic sensors, distress calls and video feeds from closed-circuit cameras.

Not only do overhead signs indicate when the flex lanes are open, but they also allow operations center staff to direct traffic around incidents that block a lane.

A recently completed multi-year reconstruction project on I-96 in western Oakland County included work to make the flex lanes possible.

Also coming in April on I-96, ramp meters will act as traffic signals on entrance ramps to manage the flow of traffic entering the freeway during periods of heavy congestion.

When activated, drivers will stop at the red signal, then enter the freeway when the green signal is shown.

MDOT said ramp meters help reduce stop-and-go traffic and crashes, improving traffic flow.

The first flex route in Michigan was built along US-23 between M-14 and M-36 in Livingston and Washtenaw counties. MDOT is working to extend that flex route north to I-96.

“Flex routes make use of the current road infrastructure to address directional congestion (heavy commuter traffic in one direction in the morning, then the other direction in the evening) at a much lower cost than building new lanes and shoulders, as well as widening bridges/overpasses and purchasing all the needed right of way to make room for such expansion,” the release said.