Mayor Larson Talks Blue Bridge Problems, Solutions

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says she is determined to fix the troubled blue bridge that connects Canal Park to the DECC.

In the next week or two, Larson says she will be bringing her staff together to figure out a long-term solution for the connection between Canal Park and the other side of the slip where the DECC, Vista Fleet, Bayfront Park and Pier B are located.

Larson believes the repeated break-downs every summer is beyond costly and needs to stop.

“It does not make sense to me that we would invest a significant amount of money into a fix if — long term — that fix is not going to benefit the area,” Larson explained.

Not only is a permanent and proper connection between the two tourist hot spots important, Larson says there’s a lot more going on in that area – with contamination issues in the slip and deteriorating sea walls.

Former Mayor Don Ness had a vision to fill the slip with a parking lot and move the William A. Irvin down a few slips past Bayfront Park.

But Larson does not believe that is the right vision for that area.

Meanwhile, while city staff creates its plan and get input from businesses on both sides of the bridge, Larson has a short-term plan for this summer already set.

There will be a repair crew on scene during big events, like Tall Ships and Grandma’s Marathon so fixes can be made right away – helping ease any problems for tourists and businesses, because when the bridge is not working and is up in the air, people have to walk blocks around the ship to get to the other side of the slip.