Next phase of NFL draft road closures about to begin

A second round of street closures in downtown Detroit ahead of the NFL draft is scheduled to begin Monday.

The city of Detroit on Thursday released a more detailed list of closures, which are rolling out in phases. The NFL draft is expected to draw an estimated 300,000 people to Detroit for the big event April 25-27, and local officials have been advising folks to plan ahead and consider public transit options, including upcoming park-and-ride offerings from the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), for travel to and around downtown, especially at that time.

“Phase two closures will begin Monday, April 8th at 9 a.m., and last until May 5th at 11:59 p.m. and will encompass the roads around Campus Martius and the south side of the NFL Draft Theater space in the area formerly known as the Monroe Midway,” according to a city news release Thursday.

Here’s what will be closed for phase two beginning Monday, the release said:

Northbound Woodward Avenue from Congress Street to State Street

Eastbound Cadillac Square from Woodward Avenue to Randolph Street

Westbound Cadillac Square from Randolph Street to Bates Street

Bates Street from Cadillac Square to East Congress Street

Phase one closures began Friday and will last until May 7:

Randolph Street between Monroe Street and Fort Street

Monroe Street between Woodward Avenue and Randolph Street

Farmer Street between Randolph and Bates (Garage access only)

Bates Street (no through traffic) In addition, QLINE is scheduled to provide service to the Congress Street station through April 12. The service will then begin operating a shortened route heading into the heart of downtown, first with the closest stop at Campus Martius and then at Sproat Street near Little Caesars Arena between April 20 and 30, according to previously released details.