Bridge demolitions cause weekend closure of I-94 in Detroit
A full weekend closure of I-94 in Detroit will mean plenty of detours for drivers.
The timing will be a challenge for those heading to the Little Caesars Arena for NCAA regional basketball action or for St. Patrick's Day festivities (See below for alternative route options). For a project map go to: https://goo.gl/eoUfV3.
All surface street ramps will begin closing at 7 p.m., freeway to freeway interchange ramps will begin closing at 9 p.m.
Contracting crews will be demolishing a portion of the M-3 (Gratiot Avenue) and the entire Chene Street overpasses starting at 9 p.m. Friday, March 16. The demolition will require closing I-94 between Conner Avenue and I-75 for the weekend. All lanes of the freeway are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, March 19.
In addition to the bridge demolition, crews will be deployed for detailed inspections on other bridges, pavement repair, and utility work within the closure limits. The closure begins at 9 p.m. Friday and ends by 5 a.m. Monday.
During this closure, westbound through-traffic will be advised to take westbound Eight Mile Road to southbound I-75, and back to westbound I-94.
Westbound I-94 will remain open to Conner Avenue for local access. Eastbound traffic will be detoured north on I-75 to eastbound M-102, and back to eastbound I-94.
All ramps along eastbound and westbound I-94 will be closed between Conner Avenue and I-75. In addition, the following ramps will be closed and also will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, March 19:
- Eastbound I-96 to eastbound I-94,
- Northbound and southbound M-10 (Lodge Freeway) to eastbound I-94,
- Northbound and southbound I-75 to eastbound I-94, and
- All entrance ramps to westbound I-94 from Nine Mile Road to Chalmers Street.
For basketball fans heading to Little Caesars Arena for the first round of the NCAA tournament, or those looking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day festivities in downtown Detroit, alternate routes are available.
OTHER ROUTE OPTIONS:
For drivers using westbound I-94 from Macomb County and points east, there are options to reach southbound I-75 into downtown Detroit. Westbound I-696 will not have lane restrictions this weekend from I-94 to I-75. Also available is westbound M-102 (Eight Mile Road) from I-94 to I-75. Along the waterfront, Jefferson Avenue is also an option.
Drivers on eastbound I-94 from Detroit Metro Airport and points west can exit onto eastbound US-12 (Michigan Avenue) in Dearborn to avoid the lane restrictions approaching the closure at I-75. Drivers can follow eastbound US-12 to northbound Cass Avenue to access the Little Caesars Arena parking structures and other venues.
Post-game options are available for those heading east by using northbound I-75 to eastbound M-102 or eastbound I-696. Drivers heading west can use northbound M-10 to westbound I-94.
In southwest Detroit, southbound I-75 remains closed and detoured for the ongoing repair to the Rouge Bridge. Drivers needing to use southbound I-75 can use northbound M-10 to westbound I-94, then southbound I-275 to re-connect with southbound I-75 in Monroe County.