Proposal to Restore Hammond Ave to Four Lanes

Superior City Councilor Gets the Ball Rolling

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Traffic jams are causing delays and headaches for Twin Port drivers on their commute across the high bridge.

Now,  Superior City Councilor Dennis Dalbec is speaking out in hopes of making a change on Hammond Avenue.

A change that Dalbec told Fox 21 he feels will get people rolling back up to speed.

Like clockwork it’s stop and go traffic every morning, noon and after work on the high bridge and Hammond Avenue.

“I’ve heard a lot of honking of the horn and people yelling out their window,” said Jacob Myer with Dan’s Feed Bin, located along Hammond Avenue.

While some people said the increased traffic on Hammond is due to construction on the Bong Bridge, Councilor Dalbec said there is more to the story.

“I think the one lane going north and south on each side has been tried and it just doesn’t work,” said Dalbec.

You may remember the busy Hammond Avenue when it was two-lane traffic in both directions.

“With the four lanes traffic on both sides the traffic moves much quicker (and) it’s more safe. I think that’s where a change has to occur with all of that taken into consideration,” explained Dalbec.

The councilor told Fox 21 people have even approached him during his workout at the local gym and asked when changes will be made.

Myer said he has looked out the window at work and noticed traffic stopped on the railroad tracks, Dalbec said he too has seen stalled traffic.

“There are people that are stopping, getting out of their cars socializing and having cigarettes because the traffic is moving that slow,” said Dalbec.

More than anything Dalbec said it’s a safety concern and a matter of taking responsibility.

“Then I heard that traffic was backing up on the other side over to the 27th Avenue turnoff and I think as a city we’re causing problems for the city of Duluth,” said Dalbec.

The councilor has brought the issue before the public works committee, at this time a solution has yet to be resolved.

Dalbec told Fox 21 he wants to speed up the process and bring the matter before the Committee of the Whole by Superior’s next council meeting, June 16th.

Fox 21 tried reaching out to Superior’s Public Works, our calls were not returned.