Driving into downtown Detroit tonight will be hell, so here are some alternative routes

In case you haven't heard, downtown Detroit will be busy tonight. The Detroit Lions have an exhibition game at Ford Field, Eminem and Rhianna will perform at Comerica Park, and Woodward Avenue is down to one lane in both directions between I-75 and Adams Avenue due to construction of the M-1 Rail project.

Tom Greenwood of The Detroit News offers the best advice on where to park, if you happen to be interested in risking severe mental strain and enjoy having road rage:

Detroit police will direct traffic in downtown Detroit and parking is basically wherever you can find it.

With that in mind, may we offer a suggestion or three.

• If you're coming from western Wayne County suburbs: Take I-96 to I-75 and head south. You will likely feel insane driving away from traffic, but roll with it. Take this to Exit 47a, Clark Avenue. Turn left onto Clark, then take the second left onto Fort Avenue. Drive 1 to 1.5 miles toward downtown, and park somewhere around Cass Avenue. Grab a drink at the Anchor Bar, or somewhere, and hop on the People Mover at the Cass/Fort station. 
  
• If you're coming from downriver, take I-75 north to Clark Avenue, and follow the same instructions as above.
  
• If you're coming from Oakland or Macomb County, find your way to Woodward Avenue and head south to, say, Grand Boulevard. Head one block west to Cass, and turn left. Ride along Cass until you hit Mack Avenue. Turn right onto Mack, take that to Trumbull Avenue and turn left. Take Trumbull to W. Lafayette or Fort, and turn left. Once you hit Cass, again, park somewhere. 
  

Often, although it's busy on big event nights downtown, we've found the area surrounding the Cass/Fort station to be accessible, and less congested. As the News notes, the Grand Circus Park station is under renovation, so ride the People Mover over to the Broadway Avenue station. 

Yeah, these routes seem ridiculous on paper, but it's even more ridiculous to consider waiting in traffic as long as some will tonight. If these routes work out, make note of it: Sometimes it helps to utilize side streets and not solely rely on freeways all the time.

Happy travels. 

Update: Some lots, it should be noted, are reportedly charging $45-$50 to park near Ford Field and Comerica Park tonight.

They're charging $50 for parking downtown. FIFTY. Beware, Eminem lovers.

— Emma Ockerman (@EOckerman) August 22, 2014

As a friendly reminder, the $10 expired parking meter fine doesn't exist anymore, so don't park your car and leave it sitting for the night. Those fines are now $45.