Driving in Detroit, MI

Construction and wierd detours. Women in BMW's and SUV's.

 

Growing up I always heard Detroit was a rough place. The suburbs are actually cool. Nothing like I thought. It's easy to get around once you learn it.

 

I get up there quite often around the Eastern market. Traffic in there gets crazy! What ever you do, don't give the pan handlers any money... they'll only encourage all of their buddies to come from all over the place and bug you too. I just try and be as polite as I can and insist that I have no money and wish them good luck and God bless.

One of them tried to sell me a pumpkin at 2 in the morning! I think they know me now and don't bother me as much anymore.

 

It's the same as any other big town, but it's getting better in one respect, the population has thinned out in the recent few years, plus with the concealed weapons permit in Michigan, no one knows who's carrying, makes for a nicer playground.

 

I think it's depressing driving thru there. So many abandoned, falling down buildings, uncompleted bridges and overpasses. But I think everyone should see it before all of the U.S. looks that way.

 

http://www.thecoolist.com/the-ruins-of-detroit-by-yves-marchand-and-romain-meffre/

Check out this pictorial, then do a search for, "The ruins of Detroit", sorta/kinda on topic, but heartbreaking if you're connected to Detroit in any way.
BTW, it's Da troyt', not Deee' troyt. Means place of straights in French if IIRC.

 

One thing I noticed when I delivered there years ago, lot's o' low bridges. Some of the bridges on I94 were marked 13'6", no room for error.

 

I drive through Detroit almost every day.

It's a bit of a pain to Navigate around, due to the weird layouts and, as mentioned above, weird detours (you'll see alot of those near the Ambassador bridge, if you are crossing the border). Oh, and traffic? Nutso.

As for downtown, it's also a place to watch out for. As for layout, it's mostly a grid pattern, but with alot of one-ways. Crime wise, there are a few panhandlers to see, but overall, it's one of the safer areas of the city.

Also, watch out for traffic whenever there is a sporting event. It's insane is a bit of an understatement.

Anything else you need to know?