Drivers and cyclists on Belle Isle are in for a reroute this month, as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shifts traffic patterns and expands a two-way bicycle track around the island. Central Avenue is getting reconfigured and fresh perimeter striping will create a continuous loop for cyclists, with the DNR warning that short closures and stripe work will be needed to wrap things up before the summer crowds arrive.
The project puts into motion recommendations from the Belle Isle Multimodal Mobility Plan, a multi-year effort aimed at easing congestion and improving safety for visitors and nearby residents. As outlined by Michigan DNR, the plan calls for restriping the park loop, installing a buffered two-way cycle track, and reorganizing Central Avenue to better sort out where cars and bikes belong.
Timeline and roadwork
According to WXYZ, crews planned to paint two-way cycle-track markings along Casino Way and The Strand during next week. Central Avenue is set to close from next Tuesday to next Friday so workers can reconfigure traffic and convert the stretch from Picnic Way to Portage Way into two-way vehicle travel, while the scenic Flatwoods section will flip from one-way eastbound to one-way westbound. Intermittent lane closures are lined up for June 1 to 5 to finish striping parking spaces. “Providing additional westbound traffic from the east end of the park will support reducing traffic congestion on Riverbank, particularly at the beach area, where traffic congestion has been identified as a safety concern,” Amanda Treadwell, an urban area field planner for the DNR, said.
Separate space for bikes and trail connections
The new two-way cycle track will hug the island’s perimeter, giving cyclists a way to circle Belle Isle without repeatedly darting across vehicle lanes and tying into both the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Trail and the Iron Belle Trail. As detailed in the Michigan DNR, this is part of a phased strategy that also looks at restriping the bridge, upgrading wayfinding signs, and partnering with local transit and bike-share providers to make the island easier to reach and navigate for everyone.
What visitors should expect
For now, visitors should count on detours, shifting parking options, and some extra slowdown while crews re-stripe lanes and lay down new markings. Plan a little more time for beach trips and aquarium visits until the work wraps. The state will monitor how the new layout affects summer traffic and tweak patterns if needed, and WXYZ reports that the changes are aimed squarely at chronic chokepoints, especially along Riverbank and near the island’s beach area. Keep an eye on park signs and DNR communication channels for the latest on access and parking during construction.
Next steps and background
Officials describe this as the opening move in a broader rollout of multimodal fixes expected to continue through 2026 and beyond. Hoodline previously dug into the mobility study when its recommendations were released in January 2025. Read that background in a deeper look at Belle Isle upgrades, and keep tabs on the Michigan DNR’s Belle Isle project page for what is coming next.
