You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.

State Street to be closed for Obama visit to Ann Arbor; AATA routes detoured

By Cindy Heflin

State Street in Ann Arbor will be closed Friday morning during President Barack Obama's visit and speech.

The street will be closed to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic between Stimson Street and Hoover Street from 5 a.m. to noon.

Obama is giving a speech on college affordability at 9:35 a.m. Friday at the University of Michigan's Al Glick Fieldhouse, 1200 S. State St.

Traffic will be detoured on East Stadium Boulevard and Packard Street.

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority also announced today that routes 6 and 36 will be detoured as a result of the street closure. Both routes will be removed from State Street between Stimson and Packard using a detour on Packard.

During the detour, riders will need to use stops in service on State and South Industrial Highway. Riders will be able to use stops on Packard during the detour, but need to be aware that the detour may end with little notice.

Read the details about Obama's visit here.


View State Street closure in a larger map

Comments

Paul Epstein

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.

I knew that Ann Arbor's 120,000 people who are committed to spooning out more funds to those whose money makes money, as opposed to work, would all chime in here. Sorry, no visit from one of your heroes, such as Oliver North or Glenn Beck this time.

Lemmy Caution

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.

Woo-wee, the trolls are out today. As expected. Gray and cold. They just hate it when a sitting President, whoever it may be, visits their small town. They just hate it when a sitting President needs high security, especially after receiving many death threats, including shots fired at White House windows, and so forth. It's like that great George Strait song, "I Hate Everything." "I hate my job / I hate my life / and if wasn't for my kids / I'd hate my ex-wife...."

justcurious

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.

I liked it when John Kennedy came and spoke on the steps of the Michigan Union. I love my job (retired after 45 years of working), I really love my family, I love my garden, I love my country (but fear my government), I love my motorcycle, I love that people are willing to give to those less fortunate.....I don't hate everything...but I do speak up when I see something that isn't right, in my opinion.

Meral

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.

Come on people we have to live next 2 years with the Stadium bridge closing, what is couple hours?

justcurious

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.

"The street will be closed to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic between Stimson Street and Hoover Street from 5 a.m. to noon." Haven't we seen photos of Obama with his kids at ice cream shops and the like amongst the "people"? But then again, crime IS up in Ann Arbor.

applehazar

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.

Traffic will be detoured on East Stadium Boulevard and Packard Street. Right over teh missing bridge - should be fun to watch!

ypsiarborchica

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.

State St will be closed at Stimson, which means traffic will be rerouted from State to Stimson to Industrial to Stadium. Even when the bridge was there you couldn't get directly from State to Stadium, so no change there because of the construction. That is going to be one busy intersection tomorrow morning, though.

Tru2Blu76

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:27 a.m.

With any luck, Michigan's governor and legislature will also close in recognition of the president's visit. Ri¢k $nyder can then have the time to count up the cash in the account he set up to cover his "cost of being our governor." Meanwhile, it's a relief to know President Obama has come to the conclusion that college tuition is too high. That took, what, three years? Brilliant! Credibility Problems 101: The Republicans simultaneously campaign for individuality and reducing / eliminating authoritarian, incompetent government. But... there have been more Republicans elected over the past 12 years than Democrats. So I guess those "individualists" who've been in charge of government for so long know what they're talking about. ;-)

USRepublic

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:29 a.m.

Muddled writing comes from muddled thinking.....

WalkingJoe

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:30 a.m.

Hey folks, they would be doing this for any president, it's called security. When I worked at the Willow Run Powertrain plant they would land Air Force One there at Willow Run Airport. We were not allowed to go outside at the back of the plant the whole time it was there. This was for both Bush's, Clinton, Ford etc.

Michigan Man

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:29 a.m.

Can the City of Ann Arbor drop the invoice itemizing the real costs of the Obama visit on the White House? If we are applying the Team Obama fairness principle (whatever that is) I would think the City should be reimbursed for all associated costs of hosting the President. Not even sure the City asked Obama to visit - as best I know he invited himself. Since we have no federal budget in place, should be pretty easy for the White House to honor and pay the invoice.

johnnya2

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.

They can, and while we are at it, how about we drop a security bill on John Boehner, and also on George W Bush (a guy who is a common citizen of the US now). He is president of the ENTIRE United States. That means he not only can., but SHOULD visit as many places as he can. I wonder if the CEO of a company ever visits the places they are in charge of helping. Ridiculous partisan crap. I would not and have never criticized Rick Snyder for having security or for visiting an area, other than the fact he has made it more difficult for the security team to do their job at an actual residence that is designed with that in mind.

USRepublic

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:40 a.m.

Maybe the AATA can cart his butt to Ypsi...... So he can see for himself the "success" of his stimulus crap..... Now I am for county wide transportation....if only for a day.

xmo

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.

Nothing Usual here, President Obama making life harder for the working people of the US.

smokeblwr

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 11:54 p.m.

But its in Ann Arbor and nobody in Ann Arbor works, right? They leave it up to us real folks outside the city to do the heavy lifting every day while they sit up in their ivory towers laughing at us.

Commoncents

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10 p.m.

&quot;Lets try and keep the cost down&quot; Yeah... umm... great comment. How about explain what you are going to do and how you are going to do it - maybe even throw a when in there too! Most of these politicians sound great, but thats right about where it ends. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UDDRiGIUYQo" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=UDDRiGIUYQo</a>

smokeblwr

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.

Stimson, eh?

Wes

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.

I was wondering why I was sensing so much negative energy over in that part of town.

motorcycleminer

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.

I just love that my tax's are paying for his 4 year long relection campaign ..wonder how much $$$ OZ will get nicked for this boondoggle....

nowayjose

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.

Who's this guy think he is the President or something?