Detroit is gearing up for the NFL Draft, and that means more road closures hitting the heart of the city next week. Starting April 8, visitors and locals alike will need to navigate around closures that include Northbound Woodward Avenue, Eastbound and Westbound Cadillac Square, and Bates Street - disruptions necessary for the setup and security of the event, which runs until May 5, but the closures will stick until May 7, as the City of Detroit announced.

Phase one has already put the brakes on traffic along several streets, including Randolph and Monroe, and while the Q-Line trolley skirts by these obstructions for a few more days, commuters are hitting detours and delays that are nothing short of a pregame tackle. Anticipation is high as the city prepares for the influx of football aficionados, and while the inconvenience may rankle some, the economic kickoff is predicted to be a major touchdown for local businesses.

For those planning to join the huddle downtown, all eyes should be on the NFL One Pass app for real-time updates. Besides the roadblocks, Detroit is dressing up its lampposts with NFL banners and giving a nod to local sports legends with artistically transformed electric boxes, a sight to see for any die-hard fan, as reported by the City of Detroit.

In true Motor City fashion, transportation options abound with the city rolling out the details on parking and alternate transport - think buses, trains, and bikes - to ease the Draft Day dash, because whether you're a Lions loyalist or just in town for the spectacle the name of the game is getting there without a fumble, with these options available on various platforms including visitdetroit.com, and local transit apps.