Morning commuters may need to quickly rethink their route tomorrow as the City of Duluth has announced a scheduled closure of W First Street for maintenance. Starting at the brisk hour of 7:30 AM, the street’s stretch from Mesaba Avenue to Sixth Avenue W will be off-limits to the regular traffic flow to allow city crews to undertake crack-sealing operations.
The temporary inconvenience will require drivers to detour, either climbing up to Second Street or descending down to Superior Street, in order to avoid the closure. The city recommends that residents plan their detours in advance to prevent any delay to their day’s agenda. The aim to have this section of road sealed and ready to resume normal traffic by mid-afternoon is optimistic, yet the City of Duluth is known for its efficiency in such matters.
Crack-sealing, while not the most glamorous aspect of urban upkeep, is a crucial preventative measure. It extends the road’s life by keeping water from penetrating the surface and worsening any existing damage. This benefits drivers in the long term, ensuring that the roads they trust to carry them daily remain in serviceable condition without the need for more drastic, disruptive repairs.
The City of Duluth has made available a PDF announcement detailing the closure. Citizens are encouraged to review the document, to fully understand the scope of work and the short-term changes to their routes.
