Navigating The Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade [Street Closures]

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) There's good news and bad news for the one million estimated people raring to go for the Detroit Thanksgiving day parade.

First, the bad news: A lot of streets will be closed in and around the city's hub.

Now, the good news: The M-1 rail construction on Woodward is scheduled to end before Thanksgiving Day -- which means easier navigation -- and the Detroit People Mover will offer free rides on Thanksgiving for those attending the America's Thanksgiving Parade, Turkey Trot and the Detroit Lions game on Thursday, Nov. 24.

"Barrels, type-three barricades, and cones alike will vanish like Houdini. Drivers, already noticing the openness of areas along the corridor will have access to a newly restored Woodward Avenue," per the M-1 website, which adds, "It will be a better road for cars and pedestrians…certainly more walkable."

Community Relations Coordinator Domeda Duncan said children and parents will have sidewalks equipped for curb side-seating and foldable chairs. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon; The Lions game starts at 12:30 p.m.

See a map of the route HERE.

The City of Detroit also issued a reminder to parade watchers that the building of scaffolds and any device without a City permit is prohibited during Thanksgiving events in downtown Detroit on private or public property.  Violators will receive tickets, and the scaffolds will be removed.

ROAD CLOSURES

Motorists traveling to downtown Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 23 and for the parade on Thursday, Nov. 24 should note the following road closures.

• Woodward Avenue from W. Grand Blvd. to Warren will be closed completely from Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. through Thursday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
• Woodward Avenue from Warren to Jefferson will be shut down beginning at 2 a.m. until the conclusion of the parade on Thursday, Nov. 24.
• Emergency vehicles will be allowed to cross Woodward Avenue at Warren, Mack/MLK, Alexandrine, Montcalm and Adams.

The following streets will have limited access beginning at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 23:

• Amsterdam/Piquette from Cass to John R
• Harper from Cass to John R
• Palmer from Cass to John R
• Ferry from Cass to John R
• Farnsworth/Putnam from Cass to John R

The following streets will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24:

• 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 These streets including Michigan Avenue and Washington Blvd. will reopen after the Turkey Trot at approximately 10 a.m.

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 during the entire Turkey Trot. The Larned exit will reopen after the Turkey Trot ends.

DETROIT PEOPLE MOVER

Individuals coming downtown for the Thanksgiving Day races, parade and Detroit Lions game can ride the Detroit People Mover (DPM) free from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., courtesy of the Sprint LTE Plus Network.

All 13 stations are open this year, with the closest to the parade being Grand Circus Park, Broadway and Cadillac. View the DPM system map at www.thepeoplemover.com.

People Mover service will resume at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 25.

DDOT BUS REROUTES

As a result of street closures for the Thanksgiving Day events, DDOT customers can expect delays beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Eastside bus routes will lay over at the Detroit People Mover's Bricktown Station on Beaubien north of Larned. Bus passengers are encouraged to ride the DPM at no charge on Thanksgiving Day to continue their travels. East side bus routes will resume regular service to the Rosa Parks Transit Center after 6 p.m.

The following bus routes will be affected because of the Thanksgiving Day Parade:

• #7 Cadillac-Harper
• #10 Chene
• #25 Jefferson
• #31 Mack
• #34 Gratiot
• #48 Van Dyke

The following routes will be affected because of the Turkey Trot, which takes place from 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. These routes will come in and out of town by Michigan via Trumbull:

• #19 Fort
• #27 Joy
• #29 Linwood

Bus passengers that need to get to the eastside routes from the Rosa Parks Transit Center may ride the People Mover to the Bricktown Station.

DDOT will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day for all regular routes at regular fares. DDOT's Administrative Offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

For more information, please call DDOT's Customer Service Office at (313) 933-1300 or go to www.RideDetroitTransit.com.

PARKING LOCATIONS

The Detroit Municipal Parking Department (MPD) recommends the following facilities on Thursday, Nov. 24.

• Ford Underground Garage, 30 East Jefferson Avenue;  5 a.m. - 6 p.m.; $10
• Millennium Garage, 423 W. Congress; 24 hours; $10.
• In addition, the following facilities are recommended for the Detroit Lions game.
• Grand Circus Park Garage, 1600-01 Woodward Avenue; 24 hours;                   $20.
• Premier Underground Garage , 1206-08 Woodward; 5 a.m. – 3 p.m.; $10.

LOST CHILDREN

Parents can find lost children at the Detroit Police Department Downtown Services, 20 Atwater, or by calling (313) 237-2850 or (313) 237-2828.