Road Construction/Traffic Archives - Page 4 of 9

More Changes Coming to Twin Ports Interchange Project

All of these changes are to help with the flow and safety of traffic.

September 21, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — Coming next week, the public can expect to see some changes on I-35 including the southbound lane being diverted to lower Michigan Street and more. “Other major changes are there will be two lanes southbound as opposed to present-day one lane southbound,” MnDOT Major Projects Construction Manager, Peter Marthaler says. Then come October, northbound traffic will be…

Lightning Destroys Steeple of Hope City Church, Causes Water Main to Burst

August 29, 2021

Lauren Akabori,

DULUTH, Minn.- Around 7:45 p.m. Saturday, lightning struck Hope City Church in Central Hillside, causing a cross made up of wood and metal to fall and even broke a water main underneath the structure. The lightning bolt destroyed one of two steeples sitting on top of the church building, with force strong enough to reach below the concrete, causing a…

Project Managers Lay Out Next Steps for Massive Twin Ports Interchange Reconstruction

The Biggest Change Impacting Drivers Will Begin October 1, 2021

August 29, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a massive overhaul worth $270 million. Chances are if you’ve driven through Duluth on I-35, you’ve experienced the current headache that is the Twin Ports Interchange reconstruction. What’s chaos now will soon be easier to navigate in the fall and winter months. “The temporary road that we will build is part of the next stage will…

Lightning Damages Steeple of Hope City Church, Leaves Building Structurally Unsound

Due to the amount of debris and the building's structural concerns, streets will remained closed to vehicular traffic over Saturday night.

August 28, 2021

Lauren Akabori, Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A lightning strike damaged both a Duluth church and a nearby water main during thunderstorms Saturday night, and officials are monitoring the structure overnight. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Fire Department, at approximately 7:45 p.m., crews responded to Hope City Church at 417 North 3rd Avenue East, after a recording party said that the church had…

Section Of Burning Tree Road Closing Monday For Month-Long Construction

August 15, 2021

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — A section of Burning Tree Road is closing on Monday for the next month. The plans include pavement milling and a stormwater project. The section that will shut down runs from Maple Grove Road to Mountain Shadow Drive. There will be a detour, but crews will try to keep access open to businesses when possible. The project…

DTA Looking for Feedback on New Transit Routes

July 1, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) is continuing the Better Bus Blueprint, which is a re-design of its transit route to be more accessible for new housing and employment areas around the city. In the public outreach part of the process, the DTA is looking for feedback from the community about what they think of the recommended draft…

Final Phase Of Superior Street Reconstruction Begins

Some of businesses owners say while it's another few months of construction cones and rumbling machines, they're excited for the finished product.

June 29, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The final portion of the Superior Street reconstruction project has broken ground. Work has started on Superior between 3rd and 4th Avenues East. The 3rd Avenue East intersection will remain open and sidewalks will be open to access businesses within the work-zone. Some of those businesses owners, like managers at the Sheraton Hotel, which has just finished their…

Minnesota State Patrol Pleads with Drivers to Use Caution as Summer Travel Begins

As of May 27, 2021, 149 Traffic Fatalities Have Been Reported on Minnesota Roads

May 27, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota State Patrol is out with alarming new numbers as the Memorial Day weekend approached, just five months into the new year. The Department of Public Safety says 149 lives have been lost on Minnesota roads in 2021. That’s in comparison to 107 lives lost at this time in 2020. Troopers are reporting a 96 percent rise…

Major Construction Project Underway Along Highway 61 in Grand Marais

A Portion of Highway 61 Will Be Closed From Java Moose Heading East Through Grand Marais May 10 - Late July

May 5, 2021

Brett Scott,

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – The downtown district of Grand Marais will be busier than usual this summer due to an ongoing extensive construction project years in the making. MnDOT is currently working to reconstruct the portion of Highway 61 just west of the city. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions for those heading into and out…

Sections of Downtown Duluth Streets to Close Temporarily

The closures will last from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

April 29, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — On Thursday, a part of East 1st street between north 2nd avenue east and north 1st avenue east will be closed to traffic. The closures will last from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During that same time, north 2nd avenue east between east 1st and 2nd street will also be closed to traffic. The sidewalk will also be…

Duluth’s 2nd Street Construction Starts Monday

April 25, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn – A busy section of 2nd Street in Duluth is about to get busier with new construction starting Monday. A roadway overhaul is happening between 4th and 9th avenues east to update utilities, storm sewer and heating system. “This work will connect the steam plant and St. Luke’s Building A, providing them with hot water,” said Duncan Schwensohn,…

Fourth and Final Phase of Superior Street Reconstruction to Begin Monday

Phase 4 of Superior Street Reconstruction will be done in two parts, with Phase 4A ending in June and Phase 4B ending in August.

April 9, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- This summer will be the busiest road construction season in Duluth’s history with crews working on 12 miles of roadways; and Superior Street will once again be among those projects for the fourth and final year in a row. “I’m real happy with the way it turned out, so, but I’m also ready to be happy that it’s…

Highway 2, 53 Resurfacing Project Now Underway in Superior

The Project is Expected to be Complete by October of 2020

April 5, 2021

Brett Scott,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recently allocated five million dollars for a resurfacing project in Superior, and the work officially broke ground Monday. A 2.5 mile stretch of construction is now underway from 29th Avenue East, to 53rd Avenue East in Superior’s Allouez and Itasca neighborhoods. During the construction that’s taking place on Highway 2 and 53, crews…

MnDOT Road Construction Ramps Up For Interchange Project

April 5, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction season is upon us and that means added congestion on some Northland roadways. One of the biggest construction projects is the Twin Ports Interchange. Southbound traffic on I-35 will be limited to one lane from 21st Avenue West to 27th Avenue West through Duluth during the current phase. MnDOT project managers are advising drivers to add…

UPDATE: Firefighters Investigating Cause, Watching for Hotspots on Highway 61 After Multiple Fires Saturday

The multiple fires have burned an estimated 45 acres, according to the the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center.

April 4, 2021

Arman Rahman,

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Hotspots along Highway 61 North of Silver Bay are still being monitored Sunday by fire crews from six different area fire departments, Minnesota DNR Fire and Air assets, and Lake County Rescue squad, among other responders. The cause remains under investigation. The multiple fires have burned an estimated 45 acres, according to the the Minnesota Interagency…

Tree Clearing for Bats, Soil Processing Last Steps Before Mission Creek Restoration Work in August

Crews start tree clearing Wednesday, and expect soil processing to finish by the end of July.

March 9, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Reconstruction work is finally set to begin this summer on the Mission Creek burial site in Duluth’s Fond Du Lac neighborhood, three years after MnDOT crews accidentally tore it up working to replace the Highway 23 Bridge there. Before they can get started, they have to finish some prep work which includes a plan to keep the area’s…

Bentleyville Modifying Drive-Thru Tour After Vehicles Turned Away Opening Night

Volunteers and Duluth Police had to work though traffic hiccups with the new setup, but said all-in-all it was a successful start.

November 22, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.-Bentleyville Tour of Lights kicked off its new 2020 drive-thru season Saturday night, and before getting to the Christmas lights — vehicle headlights decorated the streets around Bayfront Festival Park, as crews worked through some challenges with the new setup. “When it’s the very first time you’re attempting to do a drive-thru and it’s opening night there’s always gonna…

St. Louis County Plow Drivers Gear Up for First Heavy Snowfall

"You just never know what mother nature throws at us but whatever it is we're ready for, ready for the challenge," a county plow worker said.

October 19, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- As much of the Northland is gearing up for Tuesday’s dumping of snow, St. Louis County plow crews say they’re ready to roll out. The County’s 34-truck fleet got their plow wings Monday, the last part the trucks are outfitted with ahead of the first snow. According to District Maintenance Superintendent Gordy Halverson, all of the sand and…

Anderson, Decker Road Intersection Closing for Water Main Work

The City of Duluth will be closing the intersection of Anderson and Decker Roads until the 19th.

October 4, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Monday, an intersection near the busy Highway 53 and Haines Road in Duluth will close as the city does some underground work. The City of Duluth will be closing the intersection of Anderson and Decker Roads to install new water mains. Construction is expected to last until the 19th. Homeowners on Decker Road will still have access to…

One Dead, Two Injured in Two Vehicle Crash On Mesaba Avenue

September 26, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- One person is dead and two others sustain non-life threatening injuries after a fatal car crash in Duluth Saturday. Duluth police officers were dispatched to the area of Mesaba Ave and 7th St at 4:30 p.m, for a two vehicle crash with injuries, according to a spokesperson with the department. Upon arrival officers learned that an SUV traveling…

East Superior Street to Reopen Friday Evening

September 24, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A portion of East Superior Street is reopening at the end of the day Friday. It’s the section that starts at Lake Avenue in front of Pizza Luce. The street has been closed to traffic since the final Phase 3 of the reconstruction project began earlier this spring. There’s no opening date announced yet for West Superior…

Duluth’s First Street To Covert To Two-Way Traffic Monday

September 13, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, First Street traffic in Duluth will officially be converted to two-way traffic. It’s happening from Mesaba Avenue through downtown to 24th Avenue East. Traffic flow has not been consistent on First Street — with some sections two-way and others one-way. The city says the change will help cut down on confusion for drivers and improve…

Lake Avenue Bridge Reopens to Traffic After Three Months of Reconstruction

The new left turn lane to West Superior Street from the bridge will stay closed until the Superior Street Project is complete in November.

August 21, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The road between Downtown Duluth and Canal Park is open for the first time since April as crews finished the Lake Avenue bridge and part of the intersection on Friday. Crews spent the past few months repairing water and sewer lines underground and replacing the old bricks with brand new concrete. Turn lanes have also been reconfigured. While…

New Roundabout Proposed to Ease Traffic in East Duluth

August 13, 2020

CJ Baumgartner,

DULUTH, Minn.– There was a meeting to discuss plans for a new roundabout in Duluth Thursday night. St. Louis County Public Works and the city of Duluth held a virtual conference to talk about the roundabout planned at the intersection of Glenwood Street, Snively Road, and Jean Duluth Road in east Duluth. Currently, it’s an all-way stop that’s seen delays…

Portion of Michigan, Lower Michigan Street in Lincoln Park to Temporarily Close Monday

June 21, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Monday parts of Michigan Street in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood will temporarily close as crews make way for a new lift station being relocated due to the Twin Ports Interchange Project. Sections of Lower Michigan and Michigan Street between 21st Avenue West and 23rd Avenue West will be closed to all traffic until the project is done…

7 West Taphouse Re-Opens Amid Superior Street Reconstruction Downtown

Longtime customers say they're still excited to get back to their favorite restaurant.

June 16, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- 7 West Taphouse is one of the bars and restaurants which has opened their locations this week, including in downtown Duluth — on top of the reconstruction of a portion of Superior Street happening right outside their door. On their first day open Monday, about 20-30 people came in for lunch. Customers are asked to wait at the…

Lakewalk Portion Below Sister Cities Park Temporarily Closing for Construction

June 14, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A portion of the lakewalk will be temporarily closed Monday and Tuesday below the Sister Cities Park. Contractors will be onsite welding a steel plate extension to the existing sheet pile wall. A detour is posted through Gichi-ode’ Aking Park and reconnect the lakewalk to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Road…

Minnesota Power Plaza to Be Renovated This Summer

Plans include added seating, gardens, and solar lighting.

May 17, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- More changes could be coming to Downtown Duluth this summer as the Allete Company is working to renovate Minnesota Power Plaza at the corner of Lake Avenue and Superior Street. Staff with Allete said the plaza will include increased accessibility including a sidewalk into Canal Park. They’re also looking to put in more seating, shading, gardens, and solar…

MnDot Prepares for 2020 Road Construction Projects

April 15, 2020

CJ Baumgartner,

DULUTH, Minn.– As the summer months get closer, it’s time to start getting ready for road construction season. Crews will soon be working on the roads to improve infrastructure around the Northland. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is getting ready to hit the pavement as construction season gets underway. “We’re improving our infrastructure and providing construction jobs,” said Margie Nelson,…

Twin Ports Interchange Construction Delayed One Year

$343 million project delayed because of contaminated materials found at construction site

March 11, 2020

Andrew Kirov,

DULUTH, Minn. – Construction on the Twin Ports Interchange, also known as the ‘Can of Worms,’ has been delayed a year because of unexpected problems. The I-35 and Highway 53 Interchange Project is budgeted at $343 million, but the whole project is expected to cost millions more. Construction was supposed to start this spring. It’s been pushed back largely because…

Keene Creek Park Improvements Presented to the Public

An informational meeting was held to discuss the improvements and upgrades to the park.

March 10, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- One of Duluth’s most popular Dog and Recreation Parks is getting some big upgrades this year. We’re talking about Keene Creek Park near Grand Avenue in West Duluth. Planned changes include accessibility upgrades, a new playground, dog park improvements, trail resurfacing, and a new bicycle pumping rack. In 2016 the City Council approved the Keene Creek Mini Master…

Aerial Lift Bridge Set to Be Repaired, Upgraded

Crews will repair the sidewalk and upgrade the lights.

March 8, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A heads up to drivers who use the Lift Bridge. Repairs begin on Monday, which include an upgrade. Crews will be repairing the bridge’s sidewalk on each side. Pedestrians won’t be able to use the bridge at times, and traffic will be down to one lane during the day. As for the upgrades, the city is installing new…

St. Louis County Public Works Employees Vote to Ratify New Contract with County

Union members voted unanimously 133-0.

January 20, 2020

Arman Rahman,

EVELETH, Minn.- In an unprecedented unanimous vote, the Teamsters Local 320 Union representing St. Louis County Public Works employees voted to ratify a contract agreement with the County, ending their strike which began last Wednesday. “You ratified the contract 133-0, it was unanimous,” announced Teamsters Recording Secretary Erik Skoog. That announcement was met with raucous cheers from the Union members….

Superior Snow Removal on Hammond a Relief for Local Businesses

Local chiropractor said until now, it has been difficult for clients to get to their building.

January 8, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Public Works crews in Superior spent their Wednesday clearing large snow and ice banks along Hammond Avenue. Staff at Luke Chiropractic along the busy street said they haven’t seen the tall banks touched since the snowstorm over Thanksgiving. It has been a big obstacle, they said, for handicapped clients or those with injuries. So to have them cleared…

Family or Bust: Northlanders Set Out on One of the Busiest Travel Days of the Year

Variety of transportation used to get to their destinations.

December 24, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A record number of Americans are expected to head out of town this Holiday season, with Christmas Eve being one of the busiest travel days of the year. By car, by bus, by train or by plane, nothing was going to stop some Northlanders from getting to their loved ones this holiday. At the Holiday Stationstore on the…

Superior Mayor Paine: Most Streets, Alleys Plowed

Mayor asks public to email with missed streets or alleys.

December 3, 2019

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Across the bridge in Superior, Mayor Jim Paine said almost all streets and alleys have been plowed. According to the Mayor, Midtown and South End neighborhoods are the last to get cleared up. If there’s a street or alley that’s been missed where you live, Mayor Paine would like you to e-mail him so a plow can be…

Side Streets Stuck Under Snow Waiting For Duluth City Plows

City hopes plows attack residential roads in the next day.

December 2, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.-The City of Duluth hopes to be 50% done with plowing the city’s 530 miles of roads by 6 a.m. Tuesday. It’s been a real challenge for crews tackling main roads while some people on residential streets say they haven’t seen a plow since the storm started. “We can’t deal with it at all,” said Mike Koberstein. Koberstein lives…

Bentleyville Snowed In For Third Day In a Row

Volunteers needed to help clear snow piles

December 2, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Too much snow has Bentleyville closed for a third day in a row, and maybe more. Crews and volunteers have been working to clear snow from Bayfront since 8 a.m. Monday. They are asking for more volunteers to help clear pathways and parking lots. You’re asked to bring your own shovel or snow blower. “We’ve never had snow…

People Rock the Finished 100th Block of Superior Street

Businesses celebrate, as City said construction should come to an end soon, weather permitting.

October 26, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- For the first time since Superior Street reconstruction began, a block party was held on a finished portion of the road. People packed the 100 Block of East Superior Street to “Rock the Block.” The event celebrated the completion of that part of the street. Area businesses said the construction was both a welcome change and a relief…

Portion of Lakewalk Reconstruction Almost Complete

Phase 3, from Endion Station to the Canal, to be reconstructed next year

October 15, 2019

Andrew Kirov,

DULUTH, Minn. – A stretch of the Duluth Lakewalk is closed as crews draw closer to completing the first two phases of the reconstruction project. The new, updated Lakewalk, from Endion Station, to Leif Erickson Park, is expected to open by early December. City officials tell us the asphalt path in that stretch will be paved as early as this…

Duluth International Airport Working with Public in Noise Study

Crews go out to test sound in neighborhoods in November.

October 2, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth International Airport is looking at how noise from its operations affects nearby communities by asking the public directly. Officials worked with nearby residents to identify where the most noise can be heard so they can go out in November and test the noise levels in those areas. Airport leadership will take what they find to try…

Part of West First Street to be Changed to Two-Way Traffic

Hope is to eliminate wrong way drivers, reduce speeds, and have faster emergency response.

September 29, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Monday a portion of West First Street in Duluth will begin to be changed to two-way traffic. The eight blocks between 22nd Avenue West and 30th Avenue West will be converted. The city believes two–way traffic will eliminate wrong–way drivers, reduce speeds and allow for quicker emergency response. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News,…

Railroad Street to Close in Preparation for Can of Worms Project

Project to complete by October 11th.

September 29, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Monday, a big portion of Railroad Street will be closed for the next two weeks to replace train crossings. The closure is between 5th Avenue West by the DECC, and Garfield Avenue. The new rail crossings are part of improvements to railroad street in preparation for increased traffic when the “Twin Ports Interchange Project” begins on the…

Authorities Still Not Ruling Out Crime in Adas Israel Fire, Investigation Continues

Police are interviewing two people of interest and those living around the synagogue.

September 10, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Police Chief Mike Tusken has ordered nearly two dozen officers and detectives with the Duluth Police Department to find out if anybody started the fire at the Adas Israel Synagogue, a place of worship for more than a century. The Chief said his department is following up interviews with two people of interest who were at the scene…

No Cause Known for Adas Israel Fire, Police Chief Not Ruling Out Arson

Police and Fire Chief updated the public in a press conference on Monday.

September 9, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The charred remains are all that stands of the historic Adas Israel Synagogue in Duluth. At a press conference at City Hall, officials said while it is early in the investigation, arson has not been ruled out, and they are interviewing people of interest. “We have today interviewed a couple of people of interest and we will see…

Streets Around Adas Israel Synagogue Closed as Fire Crews Investigate Cause

Fire was the biggest they've seen in while, Fire Chief said.

September 9, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- At a press conference, the Duluth Fire Chief released an update on the fire that burned down the Adas Israel Synagogue in Duluth. The East Third Street building caught fire around 2:30 Monday morning, in a blaze the Fire Chief said is the biggest they’ve seen in a while. It took crews a few hours to get the…

Intersection of Stebner and Maple Grove Road Closed Monday

City to close intersection for the final time, officials say.

August 18, 2019

Arman Rahman,

HERMANTOWN, Minn.-The intersection of Stebner Road and Maple Grove Road in Hermantown will be closed for most of the day Monday. St. Louis County is paving the roads there starting at 7:30 Monday morning until about 4 p.m. The closure means you may need to plan an alternate route to get to the Hermantown Community Church, Jefferson Children’s Center, and…

Superior Street and 6th Avenue West Closed Again for Repairs

Cracked concrete will be replaced at the intersection that had work done last year.

August 8, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Just as the first intersection of phase two of Superior Street Reconstruction opened at First Avenue East, another intersection closed temporarily. Where 6th Avenue West and Superior Street meet, there’s another road closed sign as Superior is temporarily closed from 6th Ave. to Mesaba. The closure is so crews can fix concrete panels which have cracked since they…

City Plans for Alternate Cross City Trail During Twin Ports Interchange Project

City and MNDOT met with residents and business owners to discuss which alternate trail is best.

July 31, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- City of Duluth crews met with those living near and those using the Cross City Trail to discuss it’s future during the Twin Ports Interchange Project. That plan to modernize the current infrastructure of the can of worms will cause part of the Cross City Trail to close, from 22nd Avenue to east of Garfield Avenue, for bridge…

Superior Intersection Painted Green Following Hit and Run

After 11-year-old boy hit and survived, City of Superior changes intersection to slow drivers down.

July 23, 2019

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The City of Superior has implemented safety changes at an intersection on Hammond Avenue after Police say an 11-year-old boy on his bicycle was struck by a driver, who then took off, last Friday. 11-year-old Cassius Carey is out of the hospital, his mother saying he suffered a concussion but no internal injuries. The woman who Superior Police…