DETROIT – If you are going to drive downtown this weekend, plan ahead and be prepared to pack your patience. That's because with the ballgame, concerts and construction, you're bound to run into some traffic issues.
For starters, MDOT is closing I-94 from The Lodge to I-75 and it won't reopen until early Monday morning. And if that isn't frustrating enough, once you get downtown, parking is sure to be a problem and at a premium.
Parking lots east of Woodward Avenue are reserved for folks going to the Tigers game and you have to show your ticket to get a spot.
Lots west of Woodward are on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can't tailgate there because they need the spots for people going to the Fox Theatre to see Idina Menzel.
And speaking of concerts, there are couple of other big ones in town this weekend.
Aretha Franklin and the Isley Brothers are at Chene Park Saturday, and Kenny Chesney will perform at Ford Field.
Even if you're just planning a trip to Eastern Market or to indulge in a bite to eat, expect it to be a mess all over the place, especially on Woodward, thanks to the M1 rail project.
The city is telling people to leave extra early and plan on taking an alternate route or an easier means of transportation if you can.