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Light Rail Project Impacts Detroit's Annual Thanksgiving Parade

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Officials are working to minimize the effects of light rail construction in Detroit on the city's annual Thanksgiving Day parade.

Three locations along the Woodward Avenue route will narrow so the parade can move past heavy construction areas for the M-1 Rail project.

There also could be obstructed views at those so-called "pinch points" along the route from construction barriers and fencing. The pinch points are located from Putnam to Warren, Alexandrine to Watson, and Winder to Montcalm. The remainder of the route is construction-free.

"Unfortunately, there has to be some disruption, and we're doing our best to minimize this disruption," M-1 Rail Chief Operating Officer Paul Childs told the Detroit Free Press.

When the parade reaches the first pinch point, it will travel down the east side of Woodward; at the second pinch point, it will travel on the west side of Woodward; and at the third pinch point, it will travel on the east side of Woodward.

Tony Michaels, president and CEO of the Parade Co., said they've been working with the M-1 Rail organizers for two years and changing the parade route was never under consideration.

The parade steps off 9 a.m. Nov. 27 from the corner of Woodward Avenue and Kirby, and ends just south of Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit.

The rail line is scheduled for completion in late 2016.

For more information, visit www.theparade.org.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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