Guide To Traffic, Parking For Tigers Opening Day

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) Detroit's national holiday is coming up fast ... which means many fans are asking the same question: What's the best way to get to the ballpark and where should I park?

Grand Circus Park is hosting the annual CBS Detroit Opening Day Block Party. Add to that the plentiful array of open bars and Detroit sports fans ready to shuck off the layers of winter for a potentially warm spring day with the boys of summer -- and you're sure to encounter a traffic snarl.

Stay up-to-the minute with traffic and check your real-time commute HERE.

As for parking, here's a map from the MLB that shows parking lots available near the ballpark, with their prices, and outlines the shuttle services nearby.

For the game itself, know gates will open at 11:30 a.m.

Helpful Safety Tips

• Arrive with plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the downtown area.
•  Please do not block any intersections while driving or parking. If your vehicle is illegally parked or blocking traffic, it will be towed.
•  Please pay attention to officers directing traffic at all times.
•  Park in well-lit areas.
•  When parking your vehicle, please do not leave valuables exposed in vehicles when utilizing secured or unsecured parking areas and most importantly, remember where you parked.
•  Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Travel in pairs and/or a group and designate a meeting spot in case you get separated from your group.
•  As always, please be sure to buckle up and do not drink and drive.

Street Closures:

• Brush from Madison to Fisher Service Drive north and south closures
• *Madison Street will be reduced to one lane west bound from St. Antione to Randolph
• Witherell north and south from Montcalm to Adams will be closed with the exception of the Handicap Drop Off
• John R from west bound Fisher Service Drive to Montcalm will be closed
• East Bound Lafayette from Beaubien to St. Antoine is closed due to construction at the Greektown Casino
• North Bound Clifford Ramp to I-75/Fisher Freeway is closed due to the M1-Rail Construction

No Parking Zones:

• Woodward between Mack and Grand River both sides of street
• Montcalm between Woodward and Brush both sides of street
• Brush between I-75 and Gratiot both sides of street
• Adams between Brush & Woodward both sides of street
• Witherell between Woodward and Montcalm both sides of street
• Madison between Randolph and Brush south side of street
• John R. between E. Adams and Madison, both sides of street
• Brush between Mack and Fisher Service Drive both sides of street Buses only

*DDot/Smart Bus service normally on Woodward, will be rerouted to Cass from Park Street to Mack Avenue.

Parking – Shuttles & other Transportation

Secured and unsecured parking is available for a fee in the downtown Detroit Area. For a list of parking garages please call the City of Detroit Municipal Parking Department at 313-221-2500 or visit their website at www.detroitmi.gov. When parking in unsecured parking areas, please be sure to properly secure personal items from the public's view.

"NEW" Shuttle Bus Pick Up

The new location for Shuttle Bus Pick Up for bar/restaurant shuttles will be located on the west side of Woodward Avenue at Park Street. There is no parking on Adams Road between Brush Street and Woodard Avenue.

Taxi Stand

Taxi cabs will be staged on the north bound side of Woodward Avenue at Witherell (curb lane) for residents and visitors who choose to utilize their services. Taxis will be allowed to drop off and pick up on Adams Road west of Witherell Street.

Handicap Routes

All handicapped persons can be dropped off and picked up at Elizabeth Street and Witherell Street.

Limousine Staging Areas

Staging for limousines are allowed on the east bound side of the Fisher Freeway Service Drive only, from Woodward Avenue to John R on both sides of the curb. No limousines will be allowed to park left wheel to curb on the service drive.

"NEW" Parking for Chartered Buses

The new parking location for all chartered buses will be located on the east bound side the Fisher Freeway Service Drive between Woodward Avenue and Brush Street on both curb lanes. All chartered bus services will no longer be allowed to stage on the west bound side of the Fisher Freeway Service Drive from John R. to Woodward Avenue.

People Mover

Pedestrians choosing to utilize the people mover are encouraged to obtain a listing of their schedules, fees, pick up and drop off location, by visiting their website at www.thepeoplemover.com or call 313-224-2160. Please be advised, due to construction the Grand Circus Park Station will not be accessible to the public.

Here's what else you need to know for 2015:
Guests are encouraged to enter the ballpark early on Opening Day.
·        As in past years, all guests will be subject to bag searches and all bags will be checked.
·        Only bags that comply with MLB standards of 16x16x8 will be admitted.

•    Guests will need to empty their pockets of keys, mobile phones, and other items before walking through the metal detector. Guests can opt out of the walk thru metal detector screening but they will be subject to hand held metal detector screening or alternative screening procedures.
•    It is suggested guests minimize the amount of items they bring to the ballpark.
•    There will be no access to the ballpark from the Beer Hall or the Labatt Blue Light Jungle outside doors.