Drivers in Duluth should prepare for some detours as contractors are set to close a section of Third Street, due to fencing installation work at the St. Mary’s Hospital site. The affected segment is between Fifth Avenue East and Fourth Avenue East and will be off-limits starting Thursday, August 8, from the early hours of the morning. According to an advisory published by the City of Duluth, the closure will kick off at 6:00 am and is scheduled to last two days.

The closure coincides with the ongoing revamping of the road. Due to this, the traffic will be rerouted north through Fifth Avenue East to Fourth Street, looping back again to Fourth Avenue East. If you're driving through this area, get ready for significant delays which, are anticipated due to the detour coupled with the repaving efforts already causing traffic disruptions.

For anyone needing access to the Essentia clinic, take note: the facility will be accessible starting at 7:00 am on Thursday, but if you're trying to get there earlier, you may be out of luck with no access from Third Street before that time. Exiting the clinic will also be a hassle since the only way out is towards Second Street, either through Fifth Street or utilizing the parking ramp exit.

The City statement assures that by Friday afternoon, limited lane traffic will be restored. But if you're commuting in the area for work or errands, you might want to plot an alternate route to avoid the congestion. And while Essentia clinic-goers will be facing slight inconveniences, they can still rest assured that clinic operations will commence as scheduled on Thursday morning.