Lockeman's Hardware and Boats: How to navigate through major construction area

[jimh]

Due to the huge construction project associated with the new Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, the local streets and even Interstate highways around Lockeman's Hardware and Boats are often closed or under reconstruction or blocked. I was able to navigate to the store this morning. My recommended route is as follows:

To best reach Lockeman's Hardware and Boats

1. From I-75, either northbound or southbound, exit at Clark Street;
2. go South on Clark Street to Fort Street;
3. if the intersection is not blocked due to construction; continue south on Clark Street until it ends and follow to the right onto W. Jefferson Avenue;
4. if the intersection is blocked due to construction (as it was on my trip), turn right onto Fort Street and head west for six blocks, then turn left onto Campbell Street, and continue on Campbell Street until it ends at W. Jefferson, where you turn right;
5. in either case, continue west on W. Jefferson, passing under the roadway coming off the new bridge until to you reach Lockeman's store at 7630 W. Jefferson Avenue.

The new bridge is not yet open, although the main span crossing the Detroit River has been completed. The roadways into and out of the bridge complex on the Detroit side are still being finished, as are the customs and inspection facilities contained there.

This approach from the East is best as there are some existing road closures if you were to approach from the West that will block access at this time.

Lockeman's continues to be very busy servicing Johnson and Evinrude outboard engines. They are also now a Suzuki engine dealer, and have several 150-HP and 175-HP Suzuki engines in stock, along with some lower-power models.

[Phil T]

Not again?

They suffered through that I75 rebuild back in 2021-2? Whenever I did the repower.

Regardless, they are always worth the effort to get there.

[jimh]

There was some benefit to all this road work: W. Jefferson Avenue has been completely repaved in the area from Campbell Street to Lockeman's, and it has a fresh, smooth surface.

Also, the huge, new fenced-off and walled-off area associated with the International Bridge highway entry or exit on the U.S. side has replaced a lot of very dilapidated and often abandoned housing in the neighborhood. This tends to increase the general atmosphere of the area as being perhaps more secure. The buildings remaining are now mostly commercial buildings, trucking facilities, warehouses, etc.