Road Construction/Traffic

Changes For Drivers On I-35 Happening Friday

Northbound Changes DULUTH, Minn. — If you use I-35 through the Twin Ports Interchange, also known as the “can of worms,” here’s a heads up. Starting this Friday at 7 p.m. southbound lanes between Garfield Avenue and 27th Avenue West will be moved to single lane. Those going northbound on I-35, it’ll close completely between 40th Avenue West and Garfield…

UPDATE: Duluth I-35 Southbound Changes Happening Tuesday

UPDATE (March 10, 4:10 p.m.) — The traffic changes on I-35 through the Twin Ports Interchange are now starting Tuesday. Originally the change was supposed to happen Monday, but due to weather, the Minnesota Department of Transportation says it will begin Tuesday. ORIGINAL POST: DULUTH, Minn. — A heads up for drivers, if you use I-35 through the Twin Ports…

Police: ‘Partial Jaw Bone’ Discovered During Interchange Construction

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police confirmed Thursday that a human bone was found Feb. 14 during construction of the Twin Ports Interchange project. The “partial jaw bone” was located in the area of North 22nd Avenue W and West 1st Street, which is in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. An archaeologist was called to the scene to confirm the bone was…

Highway 53 Bridge Demolition in Duluth, MnDOT Says Expect Noise

DULUTH, Minn. — As part of the Twin Ports Interchange project, demolition for the Highway 53 bridge in Duluth has begun. MnDOT says residents and visitors in Lincoln Park can expect to hear noise on Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some critical demolition may occur until 9 p.m. including Saturdays. The demolition began on December 1 between…

Portions of Skyline Parkway and Seven Bridges Road Closed Till Spring

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual seasonal closure for a popular scenic road in Duluth starts Thursday. Portions of Skyline Parkway and Seven Bridges Road are closing all winter as a planned closure. Road closures are located: Skyline Parkway from 0.4 miles east of Glenwood Street to Maxwell Road Seven Bridges Road from Lakeview Chalet to Maxwell Road Maxwell Road from…

Updates On The Twin Ports Interchange Reconstruction Project

DULUTH, Minn. — A monthly public meeting for the Twin Ports Interchange Reconstruction Project took place online earlier Monday. The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced some big updates that are occurring, starting with the Garfield Interchange. Demolition will continue and once new substructures are poured, a south bound traffic shift will take place. The shift is expected to start around…

Final Raleigh Street Construction Meeting To Be Held In West Duluth

The meeting is 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at City Center West.

DULUTH, Minn. — The third and final meeting about future Raleigh Street reconstruction in West Duluth is happening Thursday night. Officials with the City are sharing the plans with the public at the City Center West building, and residents are welcome to give feedback. The plan is to completely tear up Raleigh Street to remove and replace water mains and…

Highway 53 Demolition Begins In Duluth’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. — MnDOT crews are moving forward with the Highway 53 bridge demo in West Duluth. The portions being focused on begin in the heart of the Lincoln Park Craft District on Superior Street. Then work will continue up the hill all the way up to Piedmont Avenue. The surrounding neighborhood may hear some construction crews working until 9…

North Shore Scenic Drive Reopens After Closing For Emergency Repairs

DULUTH, Minn. — The significant erosion along portions of North Shore Scenic Drive in Duluth has been repaired. According to St. Louis County, the project which started October 10 was expected to take 5 weeks, has now wrapped up. The slope along Scenic Drive across from New Scenic Cafe was falling into Lake Superior along with big trees, making it…

Temporary Superior Street Closure In Duluth

The closure goes from North Hawthorne Road to Congdon Park Drive.

DULUTH, Minn. — A Superior Street road closure in Duluth might make it hard for travelers to bring their kids to Congdon Park Elementary. The temporary closure began Wednesday from North Hawthorne Road to Congdon Park Drive. The purpose of the project is to facilitate a sanitary sewer project. The public information officer for the city said the work may…

Garfield Avenue Closed Earlier Due To Oversized Truck Being Stuck

Garfield Avenue opened back up to traffic at 12:50 p.m.

Pictures taken from MnDOT’s Facebook page. DULUTH, Minn. — A main road in Duluth was closed earlier Monday due to an oversized truck load being stuck. It was blocking the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Helberg Drive. As a result, shortly before 12:30 p.m., the closure backed up any Duluth-bound vehicles trying to come off the bridge. The Blatnik eventually…

Twin Ports Interchange Project Meetings Coming Up

Meetings are October 31, one is virtual at 12:15 p.m. and the other is in person at 6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — Another summer has gone by, and so has another construction season. The massive traffic project in the Twin Ports continues to move along. The Interchange Project has been a major challenge for the driving public. Miles of new bridges, over-passes, and traffic lanes are being constructed. There will be two chances for the public to learn the…

Glenwood Roundabout To Open Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction of the new round-a-bout at the intersection of Glenwood Street and Snively Road is set to wrap up Saturday. Construction began back on July 5 and has proceeded mostly on schedule, working through shortages such as workers, cement, and other material. You can take a first spin at the reconstructed intersection Saturday as it’s expected to…

21st Avenue East Construction Nearing End

The repair work will wrap up by October 28.

DULUTH, Minn. — The end is near for a road construction project that has blocked the main way from getting to I-35 to UMD and the College of St. Scholastica. Duluth’s Public Information Officer, Kelli Latuska tells Fox 21 repair work on 21st Avenue East will wrap up by October 28. The road has been closed to traffic since June…

Crews Begin Reconstruction Of Ramp Above Garfield Avenue In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The “can of worms” Interchange Project is progressing toward the Blatnik Bridge. From Garfield Avenue toward Superior, the ramp from Rice’s Point over Garfield toward Duluth is getting demolished for reconstruction. Big chunks of concrete are now missing on the 535 as of Tuesday. Drivers from Superior via the Blatnik are taking a temporary S-curve to access…

Residents Speak Up Against Proposed London Road Roundabouts

DULUTH, Minn. — Residents of Duluth’s London Road voiced concerns Tuesday evening over the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s proposed roundabouts for the popular road that connects to many to and from the North Shore and beyond. MnDOT’s plans include three roundabouts at 26th, 40th and 60th avenues. MnDOT said it’s all about reducing speed, traffic accidents, and stopping drivers from…

Scenic Highway 61 To Close For Emergency Erosion Repairs

DULUTH, Minn. — Significant erosion along portions of Scenic Highway 61 in Duluth has St. Louis County getting ready for five weeks of emergency repairs starting Monday. One of the locations of severe erosion along the slope of Lake Superior is across from New Scenic Café. Cones have been placed on the edge of the road where erosion has reached…

I-35 Road Construction Update In Barnum

Pictures taken from MnDOT’s website. BARNUM, Minn. — Those of you traveling near Barnum may want an update on the I-35 road construction. Starting Monday night, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said traffic will return back to separate north and southbound lanes. The off ramp for the Barnum exit will remain closed due to unexpected delays. A detour is in…

Seawall Work Behind DECC Delayed, Vehicle-Free Harbor Plaza No More

Downsized plans behind the DECC with Harbor Drive DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth’s dream to transform Harbor Drive behind the DECC into a vehicle-free public plaza is no more. And rising construction costs are being blamed. The original plan for Harbor Plaza included zero traffic, all land, walking and bike paths, places for food trucks and a large…

Driver Dies After Blatnik Bridge Crash With Construction Equipment

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man is dead after slamming into construction equipment on the Blatnik Bridge Friday. The Minnesota State Patrol says Todd Tikka, 55, lost control of his SUV while driving across the bridge to Duluth when he overcorrected and struck the median wall before striking the equipment on the right-hand shoulder. Officials say he was not wearing…

Public Comment Period Begins For Blatnik Bridge Alternatives

TWIN PORTS – Anyone who uses the Blatnik Bridge to get across the Twin Ports can now help transportation officials plan its replacement. The public comment period is open for people to view the possible locations of the bridge, and whether it should shift slightly west or east of its current position. People can also see different designs for how the…

Hibbing Police Dept. Planning Volunteer Trip to Help Kabetogama Flooding Victims

According to the Chief, there will be a wide range of duties so anyone can help, regardless of physical restrictions.

Photo: Hibbing Police Department Facebook Page HIBBING, Minn.- Officials with the Hibbing Police Department plan to take a volunteer team Thursday to the Kabetogama area, as the floodwaters continue to claim more homes. According to the National Weather Service, the flooding in the Rainy River Basin is historic, and already exceeded the records set in 2014. It could break all-time…

Koochiching Co. Sheriff: Roads Closing Due to Rainy Lake Flooding; Some Int’l Falls Residents Should Evacuate

According to the Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the evacuation is currently voluntary, but anyone choosing to stay home must find other transportation.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn.- The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office asked that International Falls residents prepare to evacuate, as historic flooding of Rainy Lake forced the closure of County Road 135 and Town Road 225 Friday. According to an alert from the Minnesota Integrated Alert and Warning System or IPAWS shared on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page, County Road 135 closed at…

Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths Host Annual Duluth Workshop

DULUTH, Minn. Last year saw the highest number of traffic deaths in Minnesota since 2007.  One program is taking a deeper dive into the data to figure out why. More than 70 groups and people part of Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths gathered in Duluth Wednesday for the northeast region’s 12th annual workshop.  The event featured speakers with knowledge on the issues…

Brighton Beach Construction Update

DULUTH, Minn. — The construction on Brighton Beach began at the end of last summer, and its looking like it may continue on a few more seasons. A new walkway was paved and extended at Brighton Beach for reconstruction last September, but what comes next is prioritizing the park and shoreline improvements to try and reinforce them. Depending on contractor…

Northern Lights Express Remains Optimistic After Minnesota Senate Votes for No Funding in Next Budget

DULUTH, Minn. – Supporters of the Northern Lights Express rail project were not shocked by Monday’s vote by the Minnesota Senate to not include finding for it in the next state budget. “What happened in the Senate this week was not unexpected,” says Ken Buehler, Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee for Northern Light Express.  “We saw this coming, we’re prepared…

Minnesota Civil Engineers Give Statewide Infrastructure a “C” Grade

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota’s infrastructure is mediocre and requires attention.  That’s according to members of the American Society of Civil Engineers who are from Duluth and Minnesota. They unveiled their latest report card during an event Tuesday next to the Can of Worms Infrastructure project along Lower Michigan Avenue, as well as in St. Paul.  ASCE releases these report cards every…

Public Works Crews Responding to Road Washouts in Northern St. Louis County

With the continuing rain forecast this weekend, Boder said, more washouts are likely.

County Road 65 is temporarily closed approximately 1.2 miles west of State Highway 73 due to a culvert washout. Repairs are expected to be done next week. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn.- St. Louis County Public Works crews closed parts of several roads in the Northern part of the county, due to excessive rain and snowmelt Saturday. According to Public Works…

Late Season Winter Storm No Issues for MnDOT

DULUTH, Minn. – Winter weather is not leaving the Northland yet, and road crews have been busy prepping for the wide range of precipitation that has fallen. MnDOT says this winter has seen few days of rest with persistent light snowfalls and below zero temperatures.  Preparations for this storm have been routine, with warmer temperatures last weekend allowing them to pre-treat…

City of Duluth Spent $1.6 Million on Water Main Breaks, Leaks In 2021

According to Duluth's Chief Engineer for Utilities, Eric Shaffer in 2021 the City of Duluth spent roughly $1.6 million, fixing 103 water main breaks and 88 leaks.

DULUTH, Minn.- Water main breaks in the City of Duluth this year have not only been gushing out water but they’ve been forcing the city to gush out money for repairs. According to Duluth’s Chief Engineer for Utilities, Eric Shaffer in 2021 the City of Duluth spent roughly $1.6 million, fixing 103 water main breaks and 88 leaks. The record…

Some City of Duluth Plow Drivers Refuse to Work Overtime For Saturday Storm as Union Members Prepare to Vote on Contract Agreement

On Saturday city officials said snowplows would be out for this storm through the city, but the fleet would be operating fewer than normal.

DULUTH, Minn.- Some plow drivers refused to come in to work overtime for this weekend’s winter storm as the City of Duluth says their contract requires them to do. While the reasoning is unclear at this time, this comes as a tentative contract agreement was reached in the 11th hour between union workers and the city administration. On Saturday city…

Vision Northland Project 72% Complete, Crews Focus on Developing Interior

The Vision Northland Project is slated to be complete in the 1st quarter of 2023 and open to patients in the 3rd quarter.

DULUTH, Minn.- The interior of Essentia’s Vision Northland redevelopment is taking shape and we have got an inside look at the inside of the building. Last week contractors marked the milestone of the multi-million dollar project being fully-enclosed. This means the exterior was largely completed, and crews got started on casework, flooring, painting, and more. The project is now 72%…

Minnesota House Democrats Propose Summertime Gas Tax Holiday

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Several Democrats in the Minnesota House have proposed a gasoline tax holiday from Memorial Day until Labor Day to help lessen the burden of rising gas prices on motorists. Rep. Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, said the proposal is an effort to combat rising inflation. GOP Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, said the…

MnDOT Lights I-35W Bridge Blue, Yellow in Support of People of Ukraine

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Twitter, it'll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The I-35 W Bridge in Minneapolis glowed blue and yellow Friday night. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Twitter, it’ll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine. MN-DOT added: “We stand united with Ukrainians here in Minnesota and around the world.” Here in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says she does not…

Aerial Lift Bridge to Undergo Routine Maintenance this Week

Maintenance is expected to wrap up on Friday.

DULUTH, MN – Construction crews started work on Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge Monday morning which is done every year while the shipping season is closed. Several maintenance tasks are put off until winter that can’t be done while ships are coming and going. With the bridge not going up every 30 minutes, crews are able to perform their routine maintenance…

Amir Locke Shooting; Protesters Gather in Minneapolis Saturday

The protest on Saturday follows a car caravan rally on Friday night rallying against the shooting.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Dozens of people are gathering in Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the deadly shooting of Amir Locke by Minneapolis police. The protest is currently underway outside the Hennepin County Government Center. Locke was shot and killed as police executed a “no-knock” warrant last week. Bodycam video shows police charging into an apartment on Marquette Avenue early…

City Crews Clear Away Mounds Of Snow Along Hammond Avenue

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior city crews were out on Hammond Avenue Wednesday clearing away snowbanks on the sides of the road to help free up parking spaces and provide better access to vehicles. Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 a new policy this winter has crews still clearing snowbanks on Tower Avenue and Highway 2 first.  But now, after those…

Public Input Wanted: Hammond Ave. Reconstruction

The city will be fixing the highly traveled road and its storm sewer system from Belknap Street to North 28th Street

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The City of Superior is asking for public input on proposed reconstruction plans for Hammond Avenue. The city will be fixing the highly traveled road and its storm sewer system from Belknap Street to North 28th Street. It’s set to start in 2023. On Tuesday the city showed different ideas at the Superior Public Library, like widened roadways…

Cold Weather Not Slowing Down Can of Worms Work Much

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday was too cold to work on the Can of Worms project, but it doesn’t happen very often.  As long as the temperature is warmer than 10-below, workers are on site getting the I-35 interchange completed. Construction managers says workers know how to dress for the weather, staying active on the site to keep warm, and using warming…

Temporary Closures Near 27th Avenue West in Duluth Begin at Midnight

The Closures Are Expected to Last Approximately One Hour

DULUTH, Minn. – Drivers on I-35 will encounter temporary closures beginning at 12 a.m., Dec. 30, just north of 27th Avenue West in Duluth. The Minnesota Dept. of Transportation says both southbound lanes will close. Southbound traffic will be rerouted up and down the ramps at 27th Avenue West. The left lane of northbound I-35 will close. These closures are…

Multi-Vehicle Pileup Reported on I-94 in Western Minnesota Saturday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State Patrol reported a pileup of about 50 vehicles Saturday afternoon along Interstate-94 between Alexandria and Fergus Falls, northwest of the Twin Cities. The Star Tribune reported no fatalities or life-threatening injuries resulted in the multi-vehicle crash, according to Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow. But I-94 eastbound at Exit 77 near Ashby was closed for more than an…

Preparing for Icy Road Conditions

DULUTH, Minn. – With roads expected to become icy Thursday morning, Minnesota’s DOT is preparing to take on the challenge. District One Public Affairs Coordinator Margie Nelson says the recent warm weather will prevent them from being able to get to roads until either the rain turns to snow or temperatures near freezing.  So drivers will be getting updates on weather…

Minnesota State Patrol Counts Nearly 300 Crashes in Storm

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota State Patrol has tallied 286 car crashes across the state during a wintery storm that brought as much as 20 inches of snow in some places. The highway patrol reported that 21 of the crashes resulted in injuries, including one that was fatal. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that a car driving on Highway…

DPD Advising Extra Caution on The Roads This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — With four big events looking to attract large crowds this weekend, the Duluth Police Department wants to remind people to take extra precautions while out on the roads. Minnesota Ballet’s Nutcracker and the Arrowhead Ice Fishing and Winter Show both at the DECC, Bulldog Hockey games at Amsoil Arena, and Bentleyville at Bayfront are all happening this…