The City of Detroit has released detailed plans for the final phases of road closures in preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft. This year’s closures, starting on Wednesday, April 24th at 12:01 AM, are integral to facilitating a range of Draft-related activities, including the much-anticipated NFL Red Carpet event and Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Draft Day festivities.
Residents, workers, and visitors should note that the Ford Underground garage will be inaccessible from Tuesday, April 23rd, affecting daily commutes and downtown access. The city emphasizes that while several roads will be closed, all sidewalks remain open, and access to businesses within the downtown area is unaffected. Supporting local businesses during the Draft period is highly encouraged.
Phase 5, which commences at midnight on April 24th, includes major closures such as Montcalm Street from Park Avenue to Woodward Avenue and Woodward itself from the Fisher Service Drive to Larned Street, among others. These restrictions are expected to last until Sunday, April 28th at 6 AM. A comprehensive list of closures can be found on the city’s official Draft website.
In addition to road closures, extensive parking restrictions will be enforced. Starting concurrently with the road closures, no on-street parking will be allowed in designated areas, and vehicles in violation will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Special attention is drawn to the dates of April 26th and 27th when roads around Comerica Park will also be closed during Detroit Tigers games, further complicating traffic flow. For those attending the games or navigating the area, planning ahead is advised.
Traffic Restrictions:
- East/West Traffic: No crossing of Woodward between Jefferson and I-75 during Phase 5.
- Route Planning: Adjust routes accordingly for east & west downtown sides.
- Traffic Info: Updates available on Google Maps and Waze.
Parking Restrictions:
- Duration: From Wednesday, April 24th at 12:01 AM to Sunday, April 28th at 6 AM.
- Enforcement: Strict enforcement of parking violations, with towing of improperly parked vehicles.
Detailed Road Closures:
- Phase 5A Closures:
- Montcalm from Park Avenue to Woodward Avenue
- Woodward from Fisher Service Drive to Larned
- John R from Farmer to Woodward
- Clifford from Woodward to Griswold
- Grand River from Griswold to Farmer
- Beaubien from Lafayette to Macomb
- Monroe from Brush to St. Antoine
- Jefferson from Randolph to M-10/Washington Blvd (includes Ford Underground garage)
- Adams from Park to Witherell
- Park/Witherell at Woodward (South end of Grand Circus Park)
- WB Madison from John R to Witherell
- NB Washington from John R to Park
- Phase 5B Closures: Phase 5B closures will begin Thursday, April 25th at 12:01am and end Sunday, April 28th at 6am. Parking restrictions for phase 5B will also begin at Thursday, April 25th at 12:01am
- State/Gratiot from Griswold to Library
- Farmer from Monroe to Gratiot
- Griswold from Jefferson to Michigan
- SB Washington from Larned to Huntington Place circle
- Randolph from Jefferson to Fort
- Brush from Fort to Monroe
- Lafayette from Beaubien to Brush
- Congress from Brush to Woodward
- Larned from Woodward to Brush Street
Special Notes for Tigers Games:
- Reopenings for Games: Montcalm, Woodward Avenue, and Adams Street will reopen on Friday, April 26th at 6 AM.
- Game Day Closures: Roads around Comerica Park will close during Tigers games on Friday, April 26th from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday, April 27th from 3 PM to 11 PM.
Tunnel Traffic Advisory:
- I-375 Usage: All tunnel traffic must use I-375 during the M-10/Jefferson Avenue closures.
- Windsor Access: Windsor-bound traffic should use Jefferson to Randolph to access the Tunnel.
Earlier Phases and General Parking Info:
- Phase 4: Began Saturday, April 20, includes closures on Woodward Avenue and surrounding streets.
- Phase 3: Includes specific closures around Jefferson Avenue, with selected exits remaining open.
- Phase 2 and 1: Detail earlier closures and the respective areas affected.
- Parking App Note: The Park Detroit app may still show availability in restricted zones—heed signage instead.
For real-time updates on traffic and road conditions, visitors and residents can consult Google Maps and Waze. The latest information is also accessible via visitdetroit.com/2024nfldraft and the NFL One Pass app, which provides comprehensive details for those attending the Draft.
The city’s transport officials are also preparing for increased demand on public transit and have provided information on alternative transportation options including the Detroit People Mover, QLINE, and rideshare services, ensuring attendees and commuters can find their way around the disruptions.
As the city gears up for one of the largest sporting events of the year, the excitement is visible with NFL banners adorning city streets and transformer boxes painted with the jerseys of Detroit’s sports legends, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Detroit continues to encourage fans and visitors to register on the NFL One Pass app and enjoy the Draft events, which remain free to the public.
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