Here's where to park and how to avoid traffic for this year's Detroit auto show

The North American International Auto Show is expected to bring thousands of car fans into downtown Detroit on Friday for the charity preview. The city is encouraging people to leave early for the event and to use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion.

Heading towardthe Cobo Center, delays are expected on the southbound John C. Lodge Freeway beginning around4 p.m. on Friday.

Limousines, service cars, and handicap vehicles will be the only vehicles allowed to pass in front ofCobo. No vehicles will be allowed to stand or park in those areas.All buses, shuttle vans and mini-buses will use Atwater, Doors 1, 2 & 3.

People Mover

The city said attendees who would like to take the People Mover to Cobohave a few convenient parking options:

• Ford Underground Garage, 30 E. Jefferson
• Grand Circus Park Garage,1600-01 Woodward Ave.
• Millennium Garage,432 W. Congress

The People Mover hours during the auto show are:

• January 19, 6:30 a.m. 2:30 a.m.
• January 20, 8 a.m. - 2 a.m.
• January 21, 8 a.m. midnight
• January 22 25,6:30 a.m. - midnight
• January 26, 6:30 a.m. 2 a.m.
• January 27, 8 a.m. - 2 a.m.
• January 28,8 a.m. midnight

Police traffic coordination

The Detroit policewillcoordinate the flow of traffic in these areas Friday:

• Beginning at4 p.m., Atwaterbecomes a one way going westbound. Buses and vehicles with designated placards onlywill be allowed to travel on Atwater Street behind the Renaissance Center to Joe Louis Arena. Bates at Jefferson will be restricted, and patrons going to the Port Authority will be directed to the Miller parking garage.
• Congress between Cass and Shelby will become a one way at4 p.m.
• Vehicles exiting off the southbound John C. Lodge Freeway at Larned will be allowed to go east on Larned only to parking areas until4 p.m.The Larned exit will be closed at4 p.m.until the Charity Preview concludes by Michigan State Police.
• Washington Blvd. at Fort Street closes at4:30 p.m.
• Griswold southbound will close at Larned beginning at 6 p.m.
• There will be No Parking, Tow Zone and No Standing zones the entire day onJan. 19ending atmidnighton Congress/Washington Blvd. to Second, Shelby/Fort to Jefferson, Jefferson/Washington Blvd. to Randolph (both sides), Larned/ Washington Blvd. to Shelby,and Fort/First to Shelby.
• Traffic restrictions will be lifted after11:30 p.m.

The City of Detroit is also advising peopleheading to Canada touse the Ambassador Bridge instead of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.