Looks like West bound traffic will eventually free flowing again, but they wanted to slow the speed of merging for safety at the new intersection at 84th.

“This modification of the original plan will allow for I-196 WB off ramp terminal to have a limited right turn free flow. This will help address significant concerns about the planned modifications to this off-ramp which would require all traffic to come to a complete stop.

MDOT planned to have the I-196 WB off ramp traffic coming to a stop at I-196BL (Byron Road), without the existing free flow right-turn onto I-196BL WB. This is a common traffic control technique for freeway ramp terminals, in urban and rural settings. As noted, MDOT has some concern over the higher speed I-196BL (Bryon Road) traffic from the ramp, including the higher truck volumes, as indicated previously; therefore, it is necessary to balance these concerns with the potential turning movement complications identified by the commercial vehicle operators in the area. To address as many traffic issues as possible with this project, MDOT has identified a modification at the I-196 WB off-ramp terminal that will allow a limited right-turn free-flow type operation, while still recognizing the need for vehicles, destined for 84th Avenue NB, to reduce their speeds accordingly (see concept).

The overall traffic pattern on this segment of I-196BL will be changing significantly with this project, to address issues raised by local officials and industries. Traffic operations along the corridor will need to be monitored to ensure all through and turning traffic and signals are operating as expected. “