Road Construction/Traffic

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…

Billion-Dollar Federal Grant Announced To Replace Blatnik Bridge

TWIN PORTS — Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber announced a one-billion-dollar federal grant has been awarded to Duluth and Superior to replace the Blatnik Bridge. The money totaling $1,058,398,200 from the U.S. Department of Transportation will address geometric deficiencies, increase capacity, and create a new shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians to access both states easily according to a press release….

Bong Bridge Open Again After Crash

Duluth-bound lanes were shut down for part of Monday.

A crash on the Bong Bridge closed lanes headed to Duluth from Superior on Monday. The lanes were closed late morning, and according to the Superior Police Department the lanes opened back up at 1:25 p.m. The crash included a semi-truck whose cab ended up bent to the driver’s side. There is no word on any injuries. The closed lanes…

Southbound Lane On Garfield Avenue To Close Temporarily Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. — The southbound lane on Garfield Avenue will temporarily close Thursday morning. MnDOT says the closure is needed for the deck pour of the overpassing bridge, passing over the current ramp that takes traffic to Superior and onto the Blatnik Bridge. The closure will occur from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Go to MnDOT’s website for more information…

Video: Flash Flooding In Duluth Creates Muddy Mess Downtown

DULUTH, Minn. – Flash flooding Monday night in parts of Duluth sent piles of sand, dirt and other materials from nearby construction onto East Superior Street. Tuesday morning compared to Tuesday evening at First Avenue E. and Superior Street The National Weather Service said 2 to 6 inches of rain fell fast on parts of Duluth. All that water sent…

Superior Street Reopen After Closing Due To Monday Night Flash Flood

UPDATE (September 12, 2:30 p.m.) — Superior Street has reopened according to Downtown Duluth. The street was closed due to major erosion from a flash flood Monday night. ORIGINAL POST: DULUTH, Minn. — Superior Street in Downtown Duluth is closed due to the flash flood that happened Monday night. A press release from the City says about 1,000 cubic yards…

City of Duluth’s Street Maintenance Crew Busy This Summer

DULUTH, Minn. — With a record amount of snow this past winter here in Duluth, comes record road maintenance. The City of Duluth Street Maintenance crew has been busy this summer with pothole patching, crack filling, and other road repairs. There are 6 patching trucks for employees to work with and every week there is anywhere from 3 to 4-hundred…

Rice Lake Road Closure Extended

Work taking longer than expected

DULUTH, Minn. — Drivers using Duluth’s Rice Lake Road will have their detour headaches extended another week. Through-traffic on Rice Lake Road is closed between Central Entrance and Arrowhead Road. A culvert on Chester Creek is being replaced, and St. Louis County says working around existing utilities has taken longer than expected. The road will now remain closed to through-traffic…

More Duluth Road Construction and Detours

Gary New Duluth and Riverside projects add to driver challeges

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s not exactly breaking news, “Surprise!” but there are more area construction projects to keep your eye on. This time it is the streets in the neighborhoods of Gary New Duluth and Riverside. The Minnesota DOT is working on culverts along Highway 23. Monday work began at the U.S. Steel Creek culvert running under Highway 23. Because…

Roundabout For London Road Not Moving Forward At This Time

DULUTH, Minn. — A controversial roundabout proposed for London Road in Duluth is no longer moving forward at this time. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the roundabout at 60th Avenue East and London Road is being dropped in order to stay on schedule to finish the overall project as planned. The comes after multiple public meetings about the roundabout…

Mixed-Income Housing Development Underway In Duluth’s East Hillside

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction is underway in Duluth’s East Hillside for 52 mixed-income apartment units. The property is located on the corner of 6th Avenue East and 4th Street. One Roof Housing and Three Rivers Community Action are developing the property. The site used to be a gas station, which was heavily contaminated, making the prime real-estate difficult to develop….

Work On Lincoln Park Housing Development Temporarily Suspended

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction work is temporarily suspended on a new apartment building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Merge Urban Development told FOX 21 there are two reasons for the delay in the Urbane218 project at the former Esmond and Seaway Hotel site. Engineers are making changes to the heating and cooling design per the request of the city’s building…

Downtown Duluth High Rise Delayed, City Optimistic For Completion

DULUTH, Minn. — The site of a proposed 15-story high rise in downtown Duluth continues to sit idle, but officials tell FOX 21 they are optimistic the project will happen. The site is located between the Sheraton Hotel and Essentia Health on the 300 block of East Superior Street, which is the former site of the Voyageur Lakewalk Inn. The…

Routine Inspections On Blatnik Bridge Start July 10

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be conducting routine bridge inspections on the Blatnik Bridge starting on July 10. Motorists can expect right lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Work will begin on the Superior-bound side of the bridge. Inspections will take about three weeks to complete. Categories: Minnesota, News, News –…

I-35 Construction: 27th Ave. West Southbound Off Ramp To Close

  DULUTH, Minn. – A busy exit ramp on southbound I-35 in Duluth is closing Monday. Minnesota Department of Transportation crews will be working to remove and reconstruct the 27th Avenue West southbound ramp. Work is expected to last 30 days. Crews will also be paving the southbound lanes adjacent to the ramp. Drivers needing to detour will follow southbound…

Duluth Police: Traffic Advisory Ahead Of Grandma’s Marathon For Friday Events

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department released a traffic advisory for events happening Friday as a part of Grandma’s Marathon. Below is the press release from the police department: WILLIAM A. IRVIN 5K: Traffic Advisory – Friday, June 16, 2023 The William A. Irvin 5K race will begin at 6:00 p.m. Harbor Drive behind the DECC will close to…

MnDOT Provides Tips On Driving Through Construction Zones

NORTHERN MINNESOTA — For Minnesota, the summer weather means drivers may encounter construction zones. And in Northern Minnesota there are 26 construction projects that will be taking place throughout the summer. The biggest project is the Twin Ports Interchange, and other projects include bridgework on Highway 61, and roadwork on Highway 53 and Highway 2. Because of all that the…

Traffic Impacts On I-35 As Part Of The Twin Ports Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation says there will be closures and traffic impacts on I-35 as part of the Twin Ports Interchange project. Crews are working to pour bridge deck, causing reduced lanes and temporary closures. Below is the list of impacts from MnDOT: Wednesday, May 31, at 9 a.m., traffic will be placed in two-lane, two-way…

Duluth Police: Traffic Advisory For Memorial Day Parade

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department sent out a traffic advisory for the annual Duluth Memorial Day Parade and other events happening on Monday. Below is the press release: Traffic Advisory: Memorial Day Parade/Gary Veteran’s Memorial The annual Duluth Memorial Day Parade will start at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 29, on Grand Ave in West Duluth/Spirit Valley. The…

Gov. Walz Vetoes Higher Pay For Lyft, Uber Drivers

(Associated Press) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have mandated higher pay and job security for Lyft and Uber drivers in Minnesota, saying the legislation wasn’t ready to become law. “Rideshare drivers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions,” Walz said in a statement announcing his first veto ever in his…

‘Northern Lights Express’ Lands Full Funding In Final MN Transportation Bill

The reality of a passenger rail line between the Twin Ports and Minneapolis is closer than ever with full funding in the state’s final transportation budget bill. The amount is roughly $194 million, which is the state’s 20-percent share of the project. The remaining 80-percent would come from the Federal Infrastructure Law, which Amtrak has officially endorsed. The train would…

City Of Duluth Announces Portions Of Skyline Parkway, Other Roads Reopen To Traffic

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth says portions of Skyline Parkway and other seasonally closed portions of roads are reopening Friday to drivers. These roads close annually in the winter. The portions of roads reopening for motorized traffic include: Skyline Parkway from 0.4 miles east of Glenwood Street to Maxwell Road Seven Bridges Road from Lakeview Chalet to Maxwell Road…

Construction Projects Set for This Week on I-35, Superior St. in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A heads up for motorists traveling around Duluth Monday with two new road construction projects taking place this week. The Minnesota DOT says crews will be replacing the guardrail and conducting bridge inspections Monday from 9 to 3 for the ramp connecting I-35 northbound to the Bong Bridge. If weather is an issue, it will be delayed to…

Essentia Health Barricades Being Removed Around Vision Northland Project

DULUTH, Minn. — Barricades are starting to open up around Essentia Health’s Vision Northland Project. The first signs of this are noticeable to drivers on East Superior Street near Fitger’s. Fourth Avenue East, from Second Street down to Superior Street will reopen Friday afternoon. According to a press release from Essentia, all lanes on Second Street from Fourth Avenue East…

Northern Lights Express Funding Closer Than Ever At MN Capitol

DULUTH, Minn. — The idea of a passenger rail service from the Twin Ports to Minneapolis has gained its best steam yet at the Minnesota Capitol. On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee set aside full funding for the Northern Lights Express in its omnibus bill. The amount is $194,300,000, which is the state’s 20-percent share of the project. The remaining…

Study Of Potential Changes To I-35 In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — There has been some discussion about possible changes in how the interstate goes through downtown Duluth. Now the University of Minnesota Duluth has added to the conversation. A study concludes that freeing up land for other uses could infuse between $500 million to over $4 billion to Duluth’s economy. The potential economic effects have been studied by…

Highway 61, Pigeon River Bridge Lane Closure In Cook County

COOK COUNTY, Minn. — The Pigeon River Bridge will be having work done in preparation for this summer’s bridge re-deck project. Contractors will be working on bridge preparations on March 30 and 31. Anyone traveling that way can expect delays as the bridge will be restricted to a controlled single lane. Construction on the Pigeon Bridge will continue to take…