I contacted the MDOT and they responded with a lengthly e-mail about why the freeway was not widened during a complete reconstruction. I then called the representative. She gave me a number of reasons why the highway was re-built to the same capacity of 40 years ago and not widened to account for the huge migration of people out towards Howell and to the west.

She said they needed additional engineering studies. Huh?

She said they would need to purchase additional land. Why couldn't they use the 1/8 mile wide swath of land they have now? There seems to be room four 20 lanes wide.

She said the costs would be higher. I wonder how many millions per mile were spend on these three lanes.

Additional excuses were so flimsy I came right out and told her that these were not valid excuses. For the cost they could turn one of the 15 foot wide shoulders into another lane.

Tomorrow morning when you turn on the radio and they say "eastbound I-96 is backed up from Milford to Novi", don't be surprised, it was designed that way intentionally at great expense by the MDOT. Your government at work for you...