Starting next Monday, Oct. 20, get ready to adjust your routes as Atwater Street is set to shut down for continuing utility upgrades critical for I-375. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has its contractors hard at work on a new storm sewer, and they're moving to the next phase, which means Atwater will be off-limits between St. Antoine and Rivard streets, as reported by MDOT in an announcement accessible at the official MDOT website. Traffic will have to detour around, using St. Antoine, Rivard, and Woodbridge streets, a move designed to reroute you efficiently around the closures.
But the adjustment is more than just a temporary inconvenience. Expected to stretch until early June 2026, these improvements come with a significant long-term upside. The new storm sewer aims to better protect the areas along I-375 and the riverfront from flooding, particularly after heavy rains, and ensure cleaner water is being returned to the Detroit River. While such benefits are clearly advantageous, MDOT has made it clear that they are working to mitigate immediate disruption, choosing to wait until after the Detroit Free Press Marathon to commence the full closures, as stated by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
For the footloose and the pedal-pushing locals, there is a bit of good news. The Riverwalk, that scenic sliver of urban trail, is to remain open through much of these sewer upgrades. It's not until late this year that sections of it will close at Schweizer Place, staying that way until early April 2026. MDOT has assured the public that a portion of Atwater Street will be restored to maintain pedestrian access between Rivard and Beaubien streets and cater to the city's cyclists between Bates and Riopelle streets, all while vehicular traffic is barred until April 2026.
