The City of Detroit announced the third phase of road closures in the downtown area for the NFL Draft build out at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.
According to the city this phase will have the biggest impact on people driving around the city, as it includes the closure of Jefferson Ave. for the NFL Draft Experience buildout at Hart Plaza.
The new closures will last until Monday, May 6 at 5 a.m.
The closures are:
- SB M-10 exit to Jefferson Avenue downtown will be closed - Exits 1A (W. Jefferson) & 1B (Larned) will remain open at this time
- Westbound Jefferson Avenue from Beaubien Street to Washington Blvd.
- Eastbound Jefferson Avenue from Washington Blvd to Randolph
- Bates Street from Jefferson Avenue to Atwater Street
- Atwater Street from Civic Center Drive to Bates Street
- Southbound Brush Street between Larned Street and Jefferson Avenue
- All Tunnel traffic must use I-375 during the M-10/Jefferson Avenue closures
- Windsor-bound traffic should use Jefferson to Randolph to access the Tunnel
Drivers who frequent downtown Detroit say its been a challenge to navigate.
"It’s a maze. It’s a maze but I’m glad that they’re putting up the fencing and they’re pretty much directing individuals as they go," said Pernies Johnson of Detroit. "It's puzzling that you have to get so close to the fence to see which direction that you’re going in."
"Don’t even get me started. We have parking garages all the way over there. So we’re walking around through alleys and ways I’ve never even thought about but I’m learning," said Leandro Zapata of Macomb.
"That’s Michigan for you, period. Summer time is always construction time. There’s always construction cones everywhere but the fact that there’s actual purpose to the cones happening in the area, it’s fantastic. It’s really exciting for everyone out here," said Hussein Mokahal of Dearborn Heights.
Although drivers say there are some back ups already in downtown and it's more challenging to access businesses, they're hopeful for the potential pay off.
"I think it can only be positive. I think it’s definitely something that will put us on the map again. Obviously people know Detroit but having such a big event like this that has so much funding, so much support behind it I think is spectacular," said Zapata.
VIDEO: Driving through Detroit ahead of the NFL Draft
"Listening to what happened with Kansas City last year and the economic up turn that it created for Kansas City. I’m expecting it to amplify times two in the city of Detroit," said Mohakal.
"In the end I think Detroit will benefit from it. It’s great to see us on a national scale like the NFL draft. I can’t wait to see it," said Johnson. " I definitely believe it’s for the greater good as long as the commuters that we have right now, the day workers that are coming in, honking and bumper to bumper, if they’re patient with it and let things happen as they’re going to, we'll be great."
Phase two closures began Monday, April 8 and will last until May 5:
- Northbound Woodward Avenue from East Congress Street to State Street
- One lane of Southbound Woodward Avenue on the West side of Campus Martius
- Eastbound Cadillac Square from Woodward Avenue to Randolph Street
- Westbound Cadillac Square from Randolph Street to Bates Street
- Bates Street from Cadillac Square to East Congress Street
Phase one closures began Friday, March 29t and will last until May 7:
- Randolph Street between Gratiot Avenue and Fort Street
- Monroe Street between North Woodward Avenue and Randolph Street
- Farmer Street between Randolph and Bates (Garage access only)
- Bates Street (no through traffic)
According to the city, access to the Ford Underground Garage will remain open through Tuesday, April 23, and parking restrictions will be in place during the closures.
They city says people should pay close attention to any parking restrictions, and that the Park Detroit app doesn't show them. Cars improperly parked will be towed.
Watch our report about cars being towed from the second phase of closures below.
