Traffic Advisories and Road Closures for 49th Annual Grandmas Marathon Weekend
DULUTH, Minn. — With Grandmas Marathon just days away, detours and delays are expected across the city.
Canal Park and the Downtown area east of Lake Avenue will see the heaviest impact within the city.
Watch for No Parking signs, temporary signage, officials directing traffic, and barriers.
For other race information visit GrandmasMarathon.com
WEEKDAY PREPARATION ADVISORIES:
- Tuesday, the Northwest Iron Lot, located between Dewitt-Seitz and Grandmas Restaurant, is closed until after the Marathon.
- A limited amount of public parking will still be available until Thursday.
- Wednesday, a temporary pedestrian bridge will be installed over canal park drive from 9am to 4pm.
- The road will remain open but short delays are expected.
- The Lake City Lot, adjacent to Canal Park Brewing Company, will begin to partially close for race set-up and equipment deliveries, and fully close Thursday until after the Marathon.
- Also Thursday, Bleachers will be installed in parking spaces along Canal Park Drive.
- These parking spaces will be unavailable until after the Marathon.
FRIDAY, JUNE 20th:
- The Lighthouse Parking lot, closest to the Maritime Museum, will close down.
- At 4am, Canal Park Drive, between Railroad Street and Buchanan Street, will close to traffic for Grandma’s Marathon Finish Line set-up.
- Hotel Guests will have limited road access on Friday.
- Traffic should use South Lake Avenue instead of Canal Park Drive.
- The closure will remain until after the Marathon.
- William A. Irvin 5K
- Harbor Drive, behind the DECC, will be closed to traffic.
- Portions of Railroad Street will close at 12:30pm for the race.
- The Great Lakes Aquarium Parking lot will be inaccessible from 12:30 p.m. until about 2:15 p.m.
- The Pier B Resort and Bayfront Festival Parking Lots will only be available from the west on Railroad Street between 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 21st:
- At 2 a.m. Superior Street will close between Lake Avenue and 1st Avenue East for installation of a temporary pedestrian bridge.
- Scenic Highway 61 will close between McQuade Road and Ryan Road at 3:45 a.m. for Half Marathon Start Line Set Up.
- Scenic Highway 61 will fully close between Duluth and Two Harbors at 4:15 a.m.
- Access Roads between MN-61 Expressway and Scenic Highway 61 will also close at 4:15 a.m.
- Harbor Drive from the DECC East Gate to the Great Lakes aquarium will close to traffic.
- Avenues leading to London Road in Duluth will close at 4:30 a.m.
- At 5:30 a.m. these roads along the racecourse will close:
- All of London Road
- Superior Street between 12th Avenue East and 5th Avenue West
- Michigan Street between 4th avenue East and 5th Avenue West
- Commerce Street, Railroad Street, Lake Place drive, and Canal Park Drive
- The southbound lanes of I-35 between 21st Avenue East and Lake Avenue will close at 4:30 a.m.
- The northbound lanes of I-35 between 26th Avenue East and Mesaba Avenue will close at 5:30 a.m.
- Westbound traffic on 1st Street will not be able to access Mesaba Avenue and will instead be diverted to Superior Street and I-35 at 6th Avenue West beginning at 5:30 a.m.
- I-35 and other roadways closed for the Marathon will reopen by about 3:30 p.m.
- I-35 DETOURS – Starting at 5:30 a.m.
- EASTBOUND — Traffic will be directed to use 2nd Street from Mesaba Avenue to 21st Avenue East. Traffic will then use 21st Avenue East to access Superior Street and then continue east on Superior Street. Additionally, drivers traveling eastbound can also use 1st or 4th Streets.
- WESTBOUND — Traffic will be directed to use Superior Street from the MN-61 Expressway to 21st Avenue East. Traffic will then use 21st Avenue East to access 3rd Street and then continue west to Mesaba Avenue. Additionally, drivers traveling westbound can also use 1st or 4th Streets.
ACCESS
- PARK POINT & CANAL PARK-
- Motorists wanting to access Park Point or the Canal Park area during Grandma’s Marathon on Saturday should use 5th Avenue West and follow signs and officer directions. There will be no motorist access to Park Point or Canal Park via the Lake Avenue-Superior Street intersection during the race.
- DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT CONVENTION CENTER (DECC)-
- Motorists wanting to access the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) or the Bayfront Festival Park area during Grandma’s Marathon should use 5th Avenue West and follow signs and officer directions. Motorists can also use Garfield Avenue from the west to access Railroad Street. There will be no motorist access to the DECC or Bayfront Festival Park via Lake Avenue during the race.
- LONDON ROAD-
- All of London Road will be closed to traffic from 5:30 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m. Local residents along London Road can use Superior Street and Jefferson Street to access the avenues above London Road during the race. Spectators may park on these open avenues and side streets and are encouraged to continue using the sides of London Road for watching the race.
- DULUTH DEPOT, DULUTH LIBRARY, & GATEWAY TOWERS
- Motorists wanting to access the Duluth Depot, the Duluth Library, or Gateway Towers during Grandma’s Marathon should use Superior Street and 6th Avenue West.
PARKING
- PARKING IS NOT ALLOWED ON ANY PART OF THE RACECOURSE. Please observe the posted “No Parking” signs. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
- CANAL PARK AREA
- Motorists wanting to park near Canal Park are encouraged to use the lots at Bayfront Festival Park, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), the Great Lakes Aquarium, or in downtown Duluth.
- Downtown parking ramps will have the easiest access on race day, due to the congestion near the DECC and in Canal Park, and are in walking distance to the finish area.
- Motorists wanting to access the DECC or the Bayfront Festival Park area during Grandma’s Marathon should use 5th Avenue West and follow signs and officer directions.
- Motorists can also use Garfield Avenue from the west to access Railroad Street.
- There will be no motorist access to the DECC or Bayfront Festival Park via Lake Avenue during the race.
- DOWNTOWN DULUTH
- On-street and public ramp parking will be available along Superior Street and 1st Street between 6th Avenue East and Lake Avenue.
- Michigan Street, between 4th Avenue East and 5th Avenue West, will close to traffic during Grandma’s Marathon.
- No on-street parking will be allowed on Michigan Street.
- Motorists will NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT parking ramps along this stretch until the race ends Saturday afternoon.
