6th Avenue East Re-opens with Safety in Mind

DULUTH, Minn. — 6th avenue east is officially open now.

The resurfacing project added vegetated medians, reduced the lanes to 3, updated crossings for ADA compliance, and replaced lead water service lines.

These changes make walking and crossing 6th avenue much safer for pedestrians.

According to the project webpage, 20% of Duluth’s Pedestrian deaths in the past ten years have been along 6th avenue east.

“There shouldn’t be any street that serves as a barrier if families need to get to education. If they need to get to jobs, if they need to get to fresh and healthy food, streets should serve as a way of getting them to those resources. Getting them to those aspects of quality of life. Sixth Avenue East, for a long time, didn’t serve that purpose. It served only to move people through the neighborhood in cars, seemingly as quickly as possible, but in a very dangerous manner.” said Tony Cuneo, Executive Director of Zeitgeist.

The resurfacing project was only Phase 1 of the project.

A complete reconstruction is planned about 10 years from now, known as Phase 2.

Phase 2 includes ideas for projects beyond the curbs, such as public art installations and pocket parks.