Downtown Rochester: The Official Detour

We are three weeks into the Main Street Makeover in downtown Rochester, with about six months to go.

Along the way, Patch is bringing you nonstop news of the project. (Here is our special section devoted to the makoever.)

The project will continue this week with one lane of Main Street closed in each direction. The full closure will begin in May.

All downtown shops and restaurants remain open and are accessible by the sidewalks; many can be reached through back entrances.

Regardless of whether you're looking to stop downtown or just passing through, here is the official detour route:

• Traveling south on Rochester Road: Turn left on Olde Towne Road before you get to downtown. Turn right on Water Street, which runs parallel to Rochester Road. Turn right on Second Street, by the Rochester Fire Department, then left again back onto Rochester Road.
• Traveling north on Rochester Road: Turn right on Second Street, then left on Water Street, which runs parallel to Rochester Road. Take Water Street up to Olde Towne Road; turn left and then right onto Rochester Road again.

Walnut Boulevard, which is west of Rochester Road, is another detour route.