Road Construction/Traffic

Aerial Lift Bridge Undergoing Deck Replacement

The center sections of the bridge can last for several more years before they'll have to be replaced.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been more than 60 years since the deck on the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth was last replaced. Workers have started the process of replacing it again. Since the shipping season is now over this deck replacement won’t affect marine traffic, but those using the bridge will experience some delays for a while. Workers are replacing…

Local Engineers Design New Fitger’s Pedestrian Bridge

Bridge Investment Is Focused On Access to Fitger's From Superior Street

  DULUTH, Minn. – The old corroding bridge from the Pick Wick parking lot to the Fitger’s ramp is being replaced. The new and stronger bridge will soon be painted bright red and installed for easier pedestrian access from Superior Street to the lower level of the historic Fitger’s complex. AMI Consulting Engineers in Superior is behind the design and…

MnDOT Urging Motorists to be Cautious Around Snow Plows

ST. PAUL, Minn. – With significant snow totals around the state, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is urging motorists to use extra caution during plowing and snow removal operations. According to MnDOT, there have been 22 crashes so far this season involving vehicles and snowplows. A total of 58 were reported last year. “Inattentive drivers, motorists driving too close to…

UPDATE: Northbound Lanes on Blatnik Bridge Now Open

The Accident Occured Shortly After 6:20 a.m. Thursday

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – A crash happened at 6:22 a.m. on the John A. Blatnik Bridge connecting Superior and Duluth. At this time, all northbound lanes are open once again on I-535. The Superior Police Department says they were already handling two separate crashes involving a total of four vehicles. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department is responded to the accident. Stay…

Cold Roadways Could Be More Dangerous Than They Look

MnDOT Officials Warn that Road Salt Doesn't Melt Snow and Ice in Extreme Cold

DULUTH, Minn. – MnDOT officials are saying just because roadways look clear of ice and snow, they may be more dangerous than they appear. When temperatures drop below fifteen degrees, salt stops being effective in melting snow. In colder conditions, MnDOT mostly relies on sand to provide traction on icy roads. They also use potassium acetate on bridges, tunnels, and…

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Looks Forward to New Year with New Hope

Almost two years after the fire, Gloria Dei plans to rebuild

DULUTH, MINN.-  It’s been almost two years since Gloria Dei Lutheran Church caught fire but this Christmas they are looking forward to the future, instead of the past. This week the church is expected to receive their permit from the city to begin construction and to celebrate Gloria Dei held a groundbreaking prayer on Christmas Eve.   Categories: Community, News,…

Local Experts Offer Travel Tips During Busy Holiday Season

AAA Offers Multiple Tips on Travel

DULUTH, Minn.-With many of you expected to head out the door in the coming days to visit your holiday destination, one local group has some tips to avoid a lot of travel headaches. A local representatives from AAA says that this is expected to be the busiest travel season ever, with 107 million people hitting the roads. With that, they…

Plow Drivers Power Through To Clear the Snow

Operators plowed the shoulders in preparation for additional snow

DULUTH, Minn. – It was another busy day for plow drivers still cleaning up from this week’s snow storm. The biggest snowfall so far this season had trucks clearing 99 routes throughout the eight county district. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) crews applied a sand and salt mixture to try to keep the roads from getting too slippery. In Duluth the lake effect…

Heavy Snow, Poor Road Conditions Cause Blatnik to Close

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Northbound lanes of the Blatnik Bridge were closed Wednesday afternoon after numerous crashes. Authorities closed the bridge just after 4 p.m., after multiple traffic incidents were reported due to weather conditions and poor road conditions. The bridge reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m. Categories: News, News – Latest News, Public Safety, Road Construction/Traffic

Duluth City Council Passes Mayor’s Budget Proposal

Budget Includes $2 Million in Cuts to City Spending

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council has passed Mayor Emily Larson’s controversial 2018 budget proposal. The budget includes a $1 million increase to the street maintenance fund, a slight property tax increase, and about $2 million in cuts to city spending. City Council President Joel Sipress tells us the cuts mean a “significant” reduction to city staff, including the…

I-35 Bridge Maintenance Scheduled Dec. 7, 8

DULUTH, Minn. – Motorists traveling southbound on Interstate 35 between Garfield Avenue and 27th Avenue West in Duluth will encounter a left lane closure from Dec. 7-8. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports the closure will allow crews to conduct bridge maintenance activties. Work will occur between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Width restriction will be in place – loads…

Difficult Driving Conditions Expected Late this Afternoon, Evening

DULUTH, Minn. – A large weather system is moving into northern Minnesota that is expected to create difficult driving conditions in the region. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising motorists to watch the weather carefully as road conditions often deteriorate quickly. Rain has been falling across the region, leaving roads wet, which can rapidly freeze when temperatures drop. Freezing…

Sinkhole on I-694 in Oakdale, Minnesota After Water Main Break

FOX 9 KMSP

(KMSP) – Even for a Sunday morning, Interstate 694 through Oakdale was unusually quiet after a large water main break caused a giant sink hole beneath the roadway around 9:30 a.m. According to the Washington County sheriff’s office, this will cause water issues for Oakdale residents, as well as road closures in both directions between 10th Street and 34th Street. Minnesota State Patrol reports…

Utility Repair Scheduled for 1500 Block of East Superior Street

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth Public Works will be conducting a utility repair in the 1500 block of East Superior Street on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The department reports that a water leak was identified in this area. Repairs will occur from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents and businesses may experience a disruption in water service during…

MnDOT Invites Public to ‘Can of Worms’ Project Online Survey

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is inviting the public to participate in an online survey regarding the Twin Ports Interchange “Can of Worms” reconstruction project, which will rebuild and modernize the highway infrastructure that serves the Port of Duluth/Superior and travelers. The project would replace three interchanges that operate together to provide access to the port and…

State Patrol Gives Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Millions are Expected to Travel for the Holiday Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – Are you traveling for the holiday weekend? AAA predicts 55 million people will be driving 50 miles away from home on roads across America this weekend. The Minnesota State Patrol is expecting a very busy holiday travel season. Sgt. Neil Dickenson visited FOX 21 to give a few winter travel safety tips: Slow down on slick roads…

CN Announces Completion of Oliver Bridge Rehabilitation

DULUTH, Minn. – Canadian National will complete the major two-year project on the Oliver railroad bridge over the St. Louis River between Duluth, Minnesota and Oliver, Wisconsin before the end of the year. The maintenance and strengthening of the bridge is complete, according to CN and the road will reopen to traffic permanently beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov….

West Superior Street to Temporarily Close on Nov. 20

DULUTH, Minn. – The eastbound lane of Superior Street heading into downtown Duluth will be temporarily closed on Monday, Nov. 20 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The project is part of a large water valve replacement project, which is a necessary preparation for the Superior Street reconstruction next year. Access to downtown will be via West Michigan Street, Mesaba Ave, and…

City of Duluth hosts open house to discuss Superior Street reconstruction

The Superior Street reconstruction project is set to begin in early 2018

DULUTH, Minn. -Plans for the major Superior Street reconstruction project in the Duluth is one step closer to being finalized. The city held an open house on Thursday for the public to see the plans for the downtown project. Residents, Superior Street business owners were on hand to share their input about the upcoming transformation. “This is the transition from…

MnDOT Discusses Plans for Can of Worms Overhaul

MnDOT Request Public's Input

DULUTH, Minn- The Minnesota Department of Transportation continues to push forward with a future overhaul of what’s commonly known as the “can of worms” interchange in Duluth. The update comes after another open house tonight where MnDOT is looking for public input on redevelopment plans. People got to look over several different ideas created by MnDOT to completely reconstruct the…

Study: Roundabouts Reduce Serious Injuries in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota’s nearly 200 roundabouts are reducing serious injuries and saving lives, according to a new study released by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. According to MnDOT officials, roundabouts have a comparable initial construction costs and lower life-cycle cost than a traffic signal with similar traffic capacity. The study examined the safety performance of 144 roundabouts by…

Discover Transportation Duluth

DTA And Jefferson Lines

DULUTH, Minn- Tonight the Duluth Transit Authority and Jefferson Lines celebrated another year of getting you from point A to point B. During the 2nd annual Discover Duluth Transportation event, staff from the DTA and Jefferson Lines were on hand to meet with residents about transportation needs and wants. They were also on hand to talk about how important transportation…

Construction Complete on Moose Lake Road Project

Project Cost $7.5 Million

DULUTH, Minn.- A huge construction project has wrapped up in Moose Lake. Wednesday, a celebration was held in the downtown area of that city to celebrate a $7.5 million project being completed. Among the aspects of the new project include a new roundabout that was put in on County Road 10. Another big change was resurfacing multiple   highways in the…

City Snow Plow Training Underway

The city is prepping workers for the winter months during snow plow training.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Tuesday city workers in Duluth prepared for the upcoming snow during a training session at Spirit Mountain. The course gives workers an opportunity to operate the machinery, before work will be in full swing during winter in the Northland.  City employees are practicing maneuvering graters and plows for snow removal.  “What we do here is we get them…

Detour in Place on Superior Street for Water Main Project

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth Public Works and Utilities Department is informing the public of a temporary detour on Superior Street at 15th Avenue East. The detours begins today, Oct. 24 and is necessary for a water main connection. Traffic is expected to be detoured the entire week for the connection and road repairs. The detour is directing…

First Phase of Belknap Project Nearing Completion

Construction Will be Finished Before Flakes Fly

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Businesses along Belknap street are breathing a sigh of relief today. That’s because the first phase of a road construction project there is nearing completion. The section from Banks to John Avenue recently opened while some landscaping from Caitlin to John Avenue continues. It’s expected the first phase will be completed before the snow flies which has businesses along…

State of the Streets Forum Held in Lakeside

Mayor Emily Larson Talks About Her Proposed Sales Tax Increase

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is asking for a half percent sales tax increase to pay for road repairs across the city. Mayor Larson held a forum tonight to explain the details of her plan to residents and hear their questions and comments. Mayor Larson is asking Duluthians to decide through a referendum on November 7th if they…

Signage and Guard Rails Going Up at Hwy 135 Interchange

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is working to install additional guard rails along the entrance and exit ramps for the Highway 135 to Highway 53 interchange and several other locations along 53. “Since the project has been open, we have heard concerns from the public – asking for more guardrail,” said Pat Huston, Hwy 53 relocation project…

Highway Projects in Hibbing On Schedule Despite Rain

Photo: MnDOT DULUTH, Minn. – Highway projects in Hibbing are on schedule despite the rainy weather, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Paving on Highway 169 remains set to be completed by the end of the week. Next week, crews will complete pavement markings and shouldering. Traffic control will be removed once the work on Hwy 169 is complete….

Belknap Getting Ready To Fully Open At Corner Of Tower

Other End Still Deals With Construction

SUPERIOR, Wis. Work on the multi–million dollar Belknap St. reconstruction project in Superior has been a long standing headache for some local business owners. There is light at the end of the tunnel for at least half of those businesses. At this point in time of construction Belknap St. is days away from completion on the corner of Tower and…

I-35W Closing to Cause Road Mess in Minneapolis this Weekend

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Getting around the Twin Cities will be a headache this weekend. Interstate 35W between downtown Minneapolis and Crosstown Highway 62 will be shut down Friday night through Monday morning – even though the Minnesota Twins, the Gophers football team, and the Minnesota Vikings all have games, and the Twin Cities Marathon is happening. Gov. Mark Dayton has…

Temporary Road Closures Scheduled in Chippewa National Forest

CASS LAKE, Minn. – Five temporary road closures in Sept. and Oct. have been announced by the Chippewa National Forest. Bridge deck replacements are part of the forest’s routine maintenance and will result in road closures taking place from Sept. 25 through Oct. 11. Forest Road 2203 at Decker Lake will be closed Sept. 25-26 Forest Road 2240 at Mitt…

New Highway 53 Bridge Dedicated

Bridge Near Virginia Will Soon Be Open to Traffic

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The new Highway 53 bridge is almost complete. It’s the tallest bridge in Minnesota. Soon it will be open to traffic. Iron rangers and state officials dedicated the new bridge to the public on Friday. “Are you ready to celebrate?” asked U.S. Representative Rick Nolan (DFL-Minn.) at the dedication ceremony. At over two hundred feet tall, the…

Routine Bridge Inspections Scheduled in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Ramp closures will take place on Monday, Sept. 18 and Tuesday, Sept. 19 as Minnesota Department of Transportation crews work to conduct routine bridge inspections. Temporary ramp closures will include Sept. 18 – northbound I-35 to eastbound Highway 535 ramp will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 – southbound I-35 to eastbound Highway…

Utility Repair Underway on East Superior St and 34th Ave East

UPDATE: The city expects the intersection to reopen by 4 p.m. Friday. DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth reports that a failed storm drain pipe caused a washout at the intersection of East Superior Street and 34th Avenue East. The intersection has been closed to traffic as repairs to the pipe and road surface are conducted. The City anticipates…