DETROIT – M-1 RAIL has jumpstarted the 2015 construction season with some spring cleaning in construction zones, laying track in the Midtown neighborhood, and making preparations for the installation of a specialty curved track downtown around Campus Martius Park beginning Monday, April 20.
Lower Woodward Avenue Construction & Installation of Track around Campus Martius Park
A phased construction process on lower Woodward Avenue – between Gratiot Avenue and Larned Street – will begin Monday, April 20 as preparations are made for the installation of a custom-designed curved specialty track around Campus Martius Park.
Woods said her team has been conducting outreach to employers and small businesses in the lower Woodward Avenue corridor for the last couple of weeks to make them aware of the planned construction activities. She said the reaction from those they have talked with has been "supportive of the project and appreciative of everything the M-1 RAIL team and its partners are doing to provide advanced notice about construction activities."
As installation of the custom specialty track occurs, one lane will remain open around Campus Martius Park at all times, and at least one of the four streets surrounding Campus Martius Park (Michigan Avenue, Fort Street, Cadillac Square and Monroe Avenue) will remain open at all times.
Visitors to Campus Martius Park will continue to enjoy lunches, music and other scheduled activities during the construction.
Recommended detours around the Campus Martius Park during track construction are:
- Southbound traffic: take Woodward Avenue to Adams Avenue to Witherell Street to Washington Boulevard to Larned Street.
- Northbound traffic: take Larned Street to Randolph Street to Broadway Street to Witherell Street back to Woodward Avenue.
"This summer we have planned and booked the most extensive activation and programming in Campus Martius Park, Cadillac Square and other downtown parks and public spaces in our ten year history – All systems are go with even more events and some fun new activities!," said Bob Gregory, President of the Detroit 300 Conservancy, an affiliate of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. "We want to reassure the thousands of daily visitors who enjoy the Park and its music, movies, games, food, beach and more that there will continue to be excellent accessibility to the Park and all of their favorite downtown destinations throughout the entire M-1 RAIL project. Last year, we saw the great job M-1 did with the downtown construction in minimizing disruptions and we expect that to be the same this year."
The planned 2015 lower Woodward Avenue construction is scheduled to finish before America's Thanksgiving Parade in November. The four phases of lower Woodward Avenue construction are as follows:
- Phase One: Northbound Woodward Avenue between Congress Street and the north end of Campus Martius Park
- Phase Two: Southbound Woodward Avenue between Congress Street and the north end of Campus Martius Park
- Phase Three: Woodward Avenue between the northern end of Campus Martius Park and State Street
- Phase Four: Woodward Avenue between Larned Street and the southern end of Campus Martius Park
"Throughout the entire M-1 RAIL project, we want everyone to know businesses and restaurants located in the lower Woodward Avenue corridor and Campus Martius Park will remain open and will continue to need your support. The construction activity will be brief in comparison to the lasting impact to the downtown area once the project is complete," said Eric Larson, CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership. "The DDP is committed to assisting all businesses, residents and visitors during this transition. For anyone who needs assistance while in the area, we encourage them to contact or stop by DDP's Detroit Experience Factory's Welcome Center at 123 Monroe St. in downtown Detroit."
The M-1 RAIL construction schedules are subject to change. Visit www.M-1rail.com for the updates on construction and traffic information.
2015 Construction Update
Didn't M-1 RAIL already complete track construction downtown?
The track construction completed before the 2014 America's Thanksgiving Parade took place from Adams Street to Gratiot Avenue. The track construction scheduled for 2015 will take place on Woodward Avenue from Gratiot Avenue to Larned Street and Adams Street to I-75 in both the northbound and southbound lanes.
Will the lower Woodward Avenue construction require a complete road closure?
Yes, the second and fourth phase of construction taking place in the lower Woodward Avenue area this year will require temporary full closures.
- Phase Two: In early June, northbound Woodward Avenue between the island north of Campus Martius Park and Gratiot Avenue/State Street. will require a temporary full closure. In late June, southbound Woodward Avenue between the island north of Campus Martius Park and Gratiot Avenue/State Street. will require a temporary full closure. The temporary full closures will be open in time for America's Thanksgiving Parade.
- Phase Four: This summer, northbound and southbound Woodward Avenue from the Island south of Campus Martius Park to Larned Street will require a temporary full closure.
Advance notice will be provided to local businesses and institutions prior to these closures taking effect.
How will Campus Martius Park and special events be impacted by construction?
Regularly scheduled activities will continue to occur at Campus Martius Park as they always have. Special events continue to be an important component of the quality of life in our city, which is the reason M-1 RAIL, works tirelessly to ensure streetcar construction and events can take place simultaneously in Detroit with minimal disruption and maximum enjoyment for all who live, work and play in the city. We work with all special event producers and the City of Detroit to coordinate event schedules with construction as much as possible.
What is "specialty track?"
Track created specifically for the M-1 RAIL project. This custom-designed curved track will be installed in the lower Woodward Avenue area and around Campus Martius Park.
When will construction be complete in the lower Woodward Avenue area?
It is scheduled to be complete in time for America's Thanksgiving Parade in November.
When will I-94 and I-75 bridge construction be complete?
Reconstruction of both the I-75 and I-94 Woodward Avenue overpass bridges is anticipated to be complete late 2015. When the southbound overpass lanes are complete, the Woodward Avenue exits on both I-94 and I-75 freeways will reopen.
Isn't a complete road reconstruction scheduled to take place along Woodward Avenue?
In partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) a complete rebuild of Woodward Avenue in the northbound and southbound lanes will occur in phases from Sibley Street to Chandler Street. The rebuild of Woodward Avenue is scheduled to be complete in late 2016.
When will stations start to be erected along the Woodward Avenue route?
As part of the construction taking place this year, the foundations for the stations will be installed; but vertical station components will not be raised until 2016. Later this year we plan to introduce the final designs for the stations.
When will the Penske Tech Center be complete?
Crews are currently doing foundation work on the Tech Center and we anticipate the entire facility will be complete before the end of 2015.