Get ready for a bit of rerouting if you're driving through Duluth's 100 block of East First Street starting tomorrow, April 10. According to a recent announcement from the City of Duluth, contractors are setting up a six-week closure for all lanes on that stretch, affecting both the hill and lake sides of the thoroughfare. The north side of East First Street will be blocked off starting at the intersection, extending to the HART ramp entrance. Luckily, pedestrians can still use the sidewalk on the south side, and access to the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial willn’t be impacted as it is reachable via sidewalks on East First Street and Second Avenue.
For drivers accustomed to cruising through this part of the city, there will be a temporary shift, and the city has outlined detours: eastbound traffic should detour at First Avenue E to Second Street then move onto Second Street before cutting across to Second Avenue E, and then back to First Street, while those driving westbound will detour at Second Avenue E to Superior Street, then from Superior Street they will take First Avenue E back to First Street. These routes should help navigate around the construction, which is dealing with the increase of trucks hauling materials will be higher than normal elevating traffic congestions.
The infrastructure work penciled in for roughly a month and a half could potentially extend beyond the predicted timeline. The city advises drivers to plan for alternative routes or steer clear of the area if possible. The construction project is essential, meant to improve the city's streetscape, and while it may cause some temporary inconvenience, the benefits should outweigh the short-term detours and delays.
Duluth residents and visitors should watch for signage marking the detour routes, knowing that these changes are in the service of longer-term improvements to city infrastructure. The city asks for patience as they manage these necessary upgrades while reminding everyone that although the construction might lead to some disruption, it's a vital step in maintaining and enhancing Duluth’s streets for future use.
