I-35 Tunnels Reopen

Tunnels reopen after they closed earlier due to flooding

I-35 tunnels have reopened in Duluth after being closed.

Flooding in tunnels along I-35 caused parts of the roadway to be closed at around 1 p.m.

The interstate had been closed between Lake Avenue and 26th Avenue East.

Traffic had to be rerouted. 

Water levels as low as six inches can cause a vehicle to stall and that happened to a few vehicles.

“If you see water over the road, especially if you’re not familiar with what’s under the water, you should never drive into the water or standing water on a roadway. It could be eroded underneath there. I don’t think we’ll have that kind of problem right now but it can always happen,” said MnDOT Beth Petrowske, District 1 Duluth Public Affairs Coordinator.

The flooding occurs because debris backs up in the tunnel and overpowers the area’s culverts.