Road Construction/Traffic

MnDOT: Homeless Encampment Fire Caused $1.9M In Damage To I-35 In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 has learned of a nearly $2 million price tag to repair a section of I-35 in Duluth that officials say was caused by a homeless encampment fire. The bridge work is just south of the Heritage Sports Center on I-35, according to MnDOT. The encampment fire happened in September 2024. An inspection found “enough damage…

One-Vehicle Rollover In Duluth Construction Area

Submitted DULUTH, Minn. – Firefighters responded to a one-vehicle rollover in Duluth Thursday. The accident happened on 6th Avenue East and 6th Street, which is an area with heavy construction right now. FOX 21 has reached out to the Duluth Police Department to find out a cause and if anybody was injured. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public…

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Urging Safe Driving in Work Zones

SUPERIOR, Wis. — With nearly 100 road projects scheduled across Northern Wisconsin this summer drivers are urged to reduce speeds and pay attention to ensure safe driving through work zones. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation joined Douglas County to hold a press conference, urging safe driving in road construction zones. Last year more than 2,00 crashes were recorded in Wisconsin…

Bridge Repairs on I-35, Traffic Reducing to One Lane

Courtesy of MnDOT Website DULUTH, Minn. — Crews are starting road is starting on a section of I-35. The northbound lane of I-35 between 40th and 26th avenues west will close for bridge repairs. Traffic will be crossed over into the southbound lanes once the crossovers are created. Motorists can expect single lane head-to-head traffic until the repairs are completed….

City Council Approves to Extend Seasonal Closure Dates on Skyline Parkway

DUUTH, Minn. –  The Duluth City Council voted to extend the seasonal closure of Skyline Parkway. The sections of Skyline Parkway that normally close from December 1 to April 15 will now extend to May 15. Frequent weather-related delays, which have occurred in four out of the past five years, have added pressure to the Street Maintenance and Communications departments,…

Stebner Closure Impacts Traffic Until Friday July 25th

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A portion of Stebner Road is temporarily closed for a utility installation project. The closure is between Maple Grove Road and Hermantown Road. Stebner is fully closed near the intersection of Stebner Road and Radar Road. Stebner Closure: Yellow – Detour; Orange – Closed to Through Traffic; Red – Full Closure Through traffic is detoured to Lavaque…

Final “pour” on Twin Ports Interchange project scheduled

DULUTH, Minn. – The final bridge deck “pour” for the Twin Ports Interchange project will take place Thursday evening, July 17, 2025. The newly poured deck will complete 145,260 cubic yards of concrete, alongside 4,672 tons of reinforced steel. It’s a significant milestone marking the transition into the final phase of construction. Once the new deck has cured, crews will…

Extra delays as MnDOT places bridge beams in Eveleth

EVELETH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation is placing bridge beams at highway 53 and 37 in Eveleth. The delays are expected from Tuesday July 15, 20205 through Friday July 18, 2025. Drivers can expect delays up to 10 minutes. The work is only during daylight hours. When driving through the work zone remember to give workers space, obey…

Bong Bridge Undergoing Repairs, Will Remain Open

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Governor Tony Evers has approved $6.3 million rehabilitation project for the Bong Bridge. Some of the projects include painting the center span, replacing lighting, new pavement markings, and repairing and sealing concrete. It will remain open with at least one lane of traffic each way, but ramps will close at various times for the repairs. Construction is…

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…

Phase 1 of Safer 6th Ave. East Reconstruction Project Now Underway

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth most dangerous Avenues is starting phase one of a safer reconstruction plan. Construction crew started resurfacing along 6th Avenue East, which connects Central Hillside to Central Entrance and Mesaba Avenue. The project looks to address safety concerns for pedestrians, like students at Myers-Wilkins, as a recent study on 6th Ave. found close to 12,000…

Highway 61 Construction Project Begins Between Grand Marais and Grand Portage

HOVLAND, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation started construction on a portion of Highway 61 on Monday, May 12. Crews will be completing culvert replacement work on the highway between Grand Marais and Grand Portage. The project will replace culverts at six locations around Hovland over two years. Starting Monday, traffic will be reduced to one lane near Myhr…

Chisholm Man Dies In Motorcycle Accident

CHERRY TOWNSHIP, Min. – A Chisholm man was killed Saturday afternoon after authorities said he lost control of his motorcycle in Cherry Township. The accident was reported around 4:30 p.m. on Highway 5 near the intersection of Herman Road, which is about five miles east of Hibbing. Witnesses told the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office that the 46-year-old man failed…

MnDOT’s 2025 Construction Season Announced

  DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced this year’s construction plans. Most notably here in Duluth: MnDOT is finishing off the Twin Ports Interchange project. Across the region there will be various replacements and repairs. Our construction district which is made up of the arrowhead region plus a few counties had fourteen new projects announced in addition…

Busy Section Of Railroad Street To Be Resurfaced This Summer

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s heavily traveled roads for tourists and entertainment goers is getting much-needed upgrades. We’re talking about Railroad Street from 5th Avenue West near Bayfront Park, east to South Lake Avenue in front of the Dairy Queen in Canal Park. The half-mile road will be resurfaced this summer. Some curbs and sidewalks will also be fixed…

London Road Undergoing Major Construction in 2026

  DULUTH, Minn.– Next year one of the busiest roads in Duluth will be reimagined. And with this construction, 10-17,000 daily commuters will be impacted. In 2026, 26th Avenue East on London Road over to 60th Avenue East in Duluth will undergo major construction. The 20 million dollar project will include the addition of round-abouts replacing sidewalks, as well as…

Woman Charged for Hit and Run in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Police arrested a woman for a hit and run that occurred last week in Duluth and sent a woman to the hospital. Brittney Elizabeth Johnson-Hamilton, 39, of Duluth was charged for last Tuesday’s hit and run at the intersection of North 12th Ave East and 2nd Ave East. According to the police report, a witness told officers…

1880s Water Main Breaks At Busy Duluth Intersection

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s oldest water mains caused quite a mess at one of Duluth’s busiest intersections Wednesday night, which went into a second night Thursday. The break was reported around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at West Superior Street and Mesaba Avenue. City utility crews were dispatched just before 11 p.m. Wednesday as bubbles were pouring out of the…

Driver Faces 24 Charges Stemming from Cherry Bus Crash

DULUTH, Minn. – The driver, who authorities say, was distracted by her phone when she crashed into a school bus back in September, is now facing 24 charges. Svea Snickers, 19, faces 24 charges including five felonies, seventeen gross misdemeanors, and two misdemeanors, from the same crash. A criminal complaint, filed on Thursday, claims the September 12, 2024, crash between…

Street into Morgan Park Still Closed After CN Rail Bridge Concerns

The road has been closed for nearly two months, after the CN bridge running over it was found to have "advanced deterioration"

DULUTH, Minn. – One of the only roads into the Morgan Park Neighborhood remains closed after a Canadian National-owned rail bridge was shut down due to “advanced deterioration” nearly two months ago. On October 4, city officials announced that an annual inspection of a CN-owned rail bridge of Idaho Street in West Duluth found “advanced deterioration” that made travel over…

Two Areas Of Cultural Concern Remain Within Twin Ports Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council continues to investigate two sites of cultural significance within the Twin Ports Interchange Project. One of the sites is in Lincoln Park along West Superior Street where Indigenous human remains were discovered in early 2023. The other location of cultural concern is at Garfield Avenue near the base of the Blatnik Bridge….

MnDOT, Duluth Chamber Applaud Reopening Of Blatnik Bridge, I-35 Connection

It was a day in history Tuesday for MnDOT’s Twin Ports Interchange project, as I-35 ramps to and from the Blatnik Bridge officially re-opened for business. “We know there’s still construction. There’s going to be for months to come, but anytime there’s an opportunity to celebrate some new accessibility for our businesses, both in Duluth and Superior, that’s great,” said…

Blatnik Bridge Closing 6 A.M. Mon. – 6 A.M. Tues.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Blatnik Bridge will be fully shut down starting at 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20. MnDOT crews will be connecting the last bypass section between the bridge and the Twin Ports Interchange project. The goal is to have I-535 back open by this fall, including the ramps to and from southbound…

Bong Bridge Construction In 2025; Public Meeting Wednesday

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A public meeting is set for Wed., Aug. 21, at the Superior Public Library to talk about construction plans for the Bong Bridge. The meeting takes place from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The project includes concrete surface repairs and replacing light poles, some of which came down during accidents and storms. Click there for an overview…

City of Duluth Announces Bridge Inspections Planned For Week of August 19

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth announced bridge inspections will be happening next week at 9 different locations. They saw traffic nearby the bridges will be impacted and drivers are advised to avoid the areas. Below is a full list of the locations affected: Monday, August 19 Vermillion Road: Location: Between Saint Marie Street and Lakeview Drive Type of…

Fatal 5-Vehicle Accident on Highway 2 Near Floodwood

ARROWHEAD TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a fatal five-vehicle accident in southwest St. Louis County. The accident was reported around 2:55 p.m. on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, on on Highway 2 near Nelson Road in Arrowhead Township, southwest of Floodwood. The only details made public as of Wednesday evening is that four vehicles…

Demolition Begins Of Former St. Mary’s Medical Center

DULUTH, Minn. – Demolition has begun on the former St. Mary’s Medical Center on East 4th Street in Duluth. Crews were seen Monday tearing down one of the campus skywalks that connected the former medical center to other Essentia Health buildings. Meanwhile, roads are closed in the area during demolition, which will last through the end of August. The city…

MnDOT Finds Unexpected Amount Of ‘Deteriorated Concrete’ On I-35 Duluth Ramp

DULUTH, Minn. – One of the most traveled I-35 ramps in Duluth will be shut down for weeks because of unexpected concrete damage. MnDOT told FOX 21 crews were planning to fix “some deteriorated concrete” on I-35 ramps in Duluth when they found additional concrete concerns on the Lake Avenue on-ramp for Northbound I-35. So because of that discovery, a…

Road Work Ahead for Hwy 37 & County Road 5 Safety Improve

HIBBING, Minn. – Expect detours from Hwy 37, just east of Hibbing, as construction crews work on improving both intersections with County Road 5. The intersection improvement project is expected to start July 15. Between the two intersections, crews will work on pavement resurfacing as well as setting up new lighting. Hwy 37 will remain open. However, County Road 5…

Phase 1 Of Hammond Avenue Reconstruction Starts

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Construction has started for a main road over in Superior. The condition of Hammond Avenue has degraded over time according to the City of Superior. The reconstruction will be divided into 2 phases. The first phase starting Monday closing traffic from Belknap to North 21st Street. The project will include a new roadway, installation of storm sewers…

Construction To Begin May 15 On 40th Avenue West Bridge

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction will soon begin to repair the 40th Avenue West bridge in Duluth after a truck hit it causing it to close to the public. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says repair work will begin underneath the bridge on I-35 starting Wednesday. Those travelling northbound can expect lane closures from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. That…

Minnesota’s April Distracted Driving Citations ‘Extremely Frustrating’

Disturbing, unacceptable and extremely frustrating — those are the words from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety when describing the number of distracted driving citations in April. “The number of citations issued is disturbing, unacceptable and extremely frustrating,” said Mike Hanson, DPS Office of Traffic Safety director. “Getting distracted behind the wheel for even a couple seconds can end with…

Wisconsin Gov. Evers Stops in Superior for “Pothole Patrol” Tour

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers made a stop in Superior Wednesday as part of his annual statewide “Pothole Patrol” tour. The initiative is to help fix Wisconsin roads and discuss the investments to improve the local streets and highways around the state. Evers signed a budget including $550 million for transportation projects underway and $100 million for local…

Update on Twin Ports Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn – The Twin Ports Interchange Project won’t be completed until the end of 2025 instead of the end of this year. MnDOT says the discovery of a jawbone in the construction zone last February is the main reason for the delay. In 2019, prior to construction starting the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council reviewed the site for potential impact…

Sheriff: Distracted Driver Slams Into Deputy’s Vehicle At Crash Scene

A distracted driver slammed into a deputy’s cruiser Monday in St. Louis County, according to Sheriff Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay posted photos on social media and said the avoidable incident was a big reminder to move over for public safety vehicles and road maintenance workers. Vehicle that struck Deputy’s vehicle The deputy was not seriously injured. Ramsay said the deputy’s SUV…

MnDOT Construction Hiring Season Begins

DULUTH, Minn. — The construction hiring season begins at MnDOT with positions available that range from filling potholes to full blown construction projects. Their Public Affairs Coordinator says the push to hire means more projects on the road. And to remember as you drive around town, surrounding areas won’t look the same as work progresses from week to week. She…

I-35 Bridge Temporarily Closed After Truck Hits Structure

DULUTH, Minn. — A bridge over I-35 in Duluth is temporarily shut down after a truck hit the structure Thursday morning. The 40th Avenue West bridge is being inspected for repairs according to MnDOT. Drivers on northbound I-35 should expect single lane closures through Friday. It’s not known how long the repairs will take. Detour signs are in place for…

Road Contruction Season Beginning: Drivers Warned That Construction Zone Deaths Have Increased

Northeastern Minnesota will have 23 new or continuing projects and travel delays should be expected.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is ready for summer road construction, and officials say get ready for road closures, lane changes, orange cones and a summer of endless stop and go. Thursday, MNDOT revealed plans for 23 projects in Northeastern Minnesota, extending from Hinckley to the Canadian border. “Highway 2 near Floodwood gets a long-needed mill and overlay,” said Andy…

Plans For Superior Street Reconstruction Displayed

DULUTH, Minn. -The City of Duluth held its fourth and final public meeting on the reconstruction of West Superior Street between Carlton and West Michigan Street. Residents and Businesses were looking at the plans of the latest design for the multi-year project. At three earlier meetings, the city’s planning department has been listening to residents and businesses in the Lincoln…

DFL: Stauber “Hypocrite” Over Blatnik Money; Once Law, Congressman Says He Pushed For Funding

Back and forth over federal funding vote.

On Monday, many Minnesota and Wisconsin lawmakers lauded the announced federal funding that will help with the replacement of the Blatnik Bridge. Among those was Minnesota’s 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber. State DFL leaders said the republican lawmaker was a “hypocrite” because he voted against the law that provided the funding. Tuesday, Stauber responded and said that after the bill…