ANN ARBOR, MI — Tailgates, touchdowns and excited Wolverines fans return to Ann Arbor on Saturday, when the University of Michigan kicks off its home opener against Colorado State University at noon.
Those driving to the game at The Big House on September 3 should prepare for the construction and closure of some streets and highways.
Read more: Wolverine Confidential: Michigan Football Season Preview
First, a couple of streets close three hours before game time and remain closed until the game is over. Southbound South Main Street also closes one hour prior to start. Here are the details.
East Keech Street closes between South Main Street and Greene Street and limits access to parking permit holders on Greene Street from East Hoover to Keech Streets.
East Stadium Boulevard closes where the westbound right turn lane goes onto South Main Street, just south of Michigan Stadium.
south main street close to local and direct traffic from Stadium Boulevard to Pauline Boulevard.
The same street closures apply to all other UM home football games on September 10, September 17, September 24, October 15, October 29, November 12 and November 19.
Read more: Ann Arbor approves street closures for return of University of Michigan football
Main Street Area Ann Arbor Social District: The social district closes downtown streets from 4 to 11 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday. The streets affected are:
- Main Street from William to Huron
- 4th avenue from William to Huron
- Washington Street from Ashley to 5th Avenue
- Liberty Street from Ashley to 5th Avenue
- Ashley Street from Liberty Street to Washington Street
There are also street and highway construction projects that will affect match day traffic in and around the city. Is it so:
Miller/Catherine Street from First Street to Division Street: The area in the Kerrytown district is closed to traffic until Friday, November 4.
Vehicles traveling west on Catherine Street will be diverted north on Division Street, west on Kingsley Street, and then south on Fifth Avenue to Huron Street. Once the cars reach Huron Street, they head west and then north on First Street back to Miller Avenue.
People traveling east on Miller Avenue will detour south on First Street, east on Huron Street, and then north on Division Street back to Catherine Street.
South Main Street and Scio Church Road: There is a temporary light to direct traffic since the light pole was damaged. The city has reopened a northbound travel lane and plans to run a one-way operation for University of Michigan home football games.
South State Street from East William Street to East Liberty Street: Northbound traffic is being diverted to Northwestbound Packard Street, to South Division Street, East Washington Street and back to South State Street. Southbound traffic is diverted onto westbound East Washington Street, onto South Fifth Avenue, Packard Street, and back onto South State Street.
Washington Street: The University of Michigan’s Go Blue Mix special event will close Washington Street between Fletcher and Thayer streets from 4 pm on Saturday, September 3 to 2 am on Sunday, September 4.
US 12 and M-17: US-12 between I-94 and Wiard Road and M-17 between Harris Road and Dorset Avenue will have intermittent lane and shoulder closures through mid-October while traffic signal work is completed.
Around Ypsilanti: Commuters to Ypsilanti are dealing with I-94 ramp closures as part of a major construction project at the Huron/Hamilton Street exit.
The on-ramp to I-94 West from southbound Hamilton Street, effective Thursday, September 1, joins two other ramp closures in the area: one from northbound Huron Street to I- 94 West and the other from Huron/Hamilton Street South to I-94 East.
A bypass brings drivers into the city from the interstate via the US 12/Michigan Avenue interchange. There are also lane closures on Hamilton and Huron streets as they cut through downtown and Washtenaw Avenue.
Read more: I-94 third ramp closure through October for road repairs in Washtenaw County
Lt. Mike Scherba said the Ann Arbor Police Department has been preparing for the UM football traffic for months. The department will work with the Michigan State Police, the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security, the Pittsfield Township Police Department and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s office to direct traffic on game day.
Scherba urges people to listen to officers at traffic intersections and not to cross in other areas.
“We’ve been doing this longer than I’ve been here and (we) try to make sure the traffic moves so the waits aren’t too long for people,” he said. “We want to try to make it safe for the many people who cross the street.”
To keep up to date with road closures and construction projects, visit the Washtenaw County Highway Commission website, the MDOT website, or the Ann Arbor website.
More Michigan football news from The Ann Arbor News:
Michigan Football in 2022: Key Stories, Players to Watch
Michigan QB Plan: What does McCarthy’s ‘rise’ mean for McNamara?
Questionable Michigan starting LB for game opener vs. Colorado State
Colorado State coach: It’s easy to see why Michigan is a top 10 team
