DETROIT (WWJ) - Thanksgiving in Detroit is set to be jammed-packed as tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the city for Big Heads, football and even a glimpse of Santa.
To prepare for the Turkey Trot, the 97th annual America’s Thanksgiving Parade and the Ford Field showdown between the Lions and the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 23, multiple road closures will go into effect across the city -- and likely cause traffic troubles.
Individuals should also take note of bus reroutes and suggested parking as outlined by city officials
ROAD CLOSURES:
BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
• Woodward between W. Grand Blvd and Warren to close at 9 a.m. Woodward from Warren to Congress to close at noon.
• Atwater between Civic Center Drive and Third to close at 3 p.m.
• Griswold between Fort and Congress to close at 6 p.m.
On Thursday, November 22, motorists may cross Woodward at these intersections until 5 a.m. Crossover streets are: Warren, Alexandrine, MLK/Mack, Fisher Service Drive, Adams, Park/Witherall, John R/Clifford and Grand River.
Woodward from W. Grand Blvd. to Larned will be closed completely from 5 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
The following streets will close beginning at 5 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 23 and reopen after the Turkey Trot at approximately 10 a.m.:
• W. Jefferson from the Lodge Freeway to Cabacier
• Michigan at Cass
• Fort Street from Trumbull to Woodward
• Congress from Shelby to Randolph
• Larned from Shelby to Randolph
• Shelby from Congress to Michigan
• Michigan from Cass to Woodward
• Monroe from Woodward to Randolph
• Lafayette Blvd. from Trumbull to Griswold
• Washington Blvd. from Adams to Congress
• Atwater from Civic Center Dr. to Third
In addition, the southbound Lodge exits at W. Jefferson/Cobo and Larned Street (Exits 1A & 1B) and the northbound Lodge exit at W. Jefferson (Exit 1A) will be closed beginning at 7 a.m. during the entire Turkey Trot. The Larned exit will reopen after the Turkey Trot ends.
DETROIT PEOPLE MOVER
The Detroit People Mover will be free on Thanksgiving and operate from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. All 13 stations are open, with two stations closest for parade viewing on Woodward Ave. (Broadway, Grand Circus Park) and the grandstands near Campus Martius (Cadillac Center).
Riders going to the Lions game can continue the holiday fun by riding the People Mover to Broadway Station for a short walk to/from Ford Field as the most convenient way to travel around downtown without moving their cars and paying for additional parking.
Fare is $.75 and children ages 5 and under are free.
DDOT BUS REROUTES
As a result of street closures for Thanksgiving Day events, DDOT customers can expect delays beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23. All buses/bus routes will go to the Rosa Parks Transit Center.
The following bus routes will be affected because of the parade on Nov. 23 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.:
3 Grand River
4 Woodward
5 Van Dyke/Lafayette
6 Gratiot
8 Warren
9 Jefferson
16 Dexter
23 Hamilton
31 Mack
42 Mid-City Loop
52 Chene
67 Cadillac/Harper
The following routes will be affected because of the Turkey Trot on Nov. 23 starting at 7 a.m. and detours expected to end following the race at 10 a.m.:
1 Vernor
3 Grand River
19 Fort
27 Joy
29 Linwood
Note: The Grand River detour will continue until approximately 5 p.m.
DDOT will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day for all regular routes at regular fares. For more information, please call DDOT’s Customer Service Office at (313) 933-1300 or go to RideDetroitTransit.com.
PARKING
The Detroit Municipal Parking Department (MPD) recommends the following facilities.
Normal business hours resume Monday, Nov. 27.
PARKING DURING EXTENDED HOLIDAY:
Residents and visitors can enjoy free metered street parking across the city on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24, with parking enforcement suspended. Parking enforcement will occur on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Motorists should note that vehicles blocking driveways, crosswalks, fire hydrants or other critical access points or illegally parked will be ticketed and possibly towed.
Normal parking enforcement resumes on Monday, Nov. 27.
LOST CHILDREN
Parents can find lost children at the Detroit Police Department Downtown Services, 20 Atwater, or by calling (313) 237-2850.