Commuters in Duluth should brace for increased traffic disruptions starting today, as the paving segment of the Sixth Avenue East reconditioning project kicks off. Shifting lane closures are anticipated on Sixth Avenue E from Second to Ninth Streets, as well as on Central Entrance from Mesaba Avenue to Ninth Street. According to details provided by the City of Duluth, temporary closures of side streets and a brief shutdown between Second and Third Streets on Sixth Avenue E are also expected during the paving operations.
While paving is underway, drivers navigating along Sixth Avenue E should plan for intermittent side street closures as well. The existing closure that stretches from Fourth to Ninth Streets on Sixth Avenue E will remain, ensuring that drivers likely need to seek alternative routes. Also, some lane closures will also impact MN-194 west of Mesaba Avenue when needed, though no specific timings have been outlined.
The current phase of construction, poised to last about two weeks, includes laying down a bituminous underseal and an asphalt top layer aimed at extending the road's lifespan. The advancement of this phase keeps the project on schedule for intended completion by mid-October 2025.
The upgrades as part of the Sixth Avenue East reconditioning project feature various improvements, such as a new center median island between Fifth and Ninth Streets, traffic signal upgrades, street resurfacing from Second Street to Ninth Street, and along Central Entrance from Sixth Avenue East to Mesaba Avenue. Increased safety and mobility are on the docket, too, with lane reconfigurations and accessible sidewalk replacements outlined. Amid these changes, the city extends its thanks to the public for patience during the bustling construction season, per information shared by the City of Duluth's announcement.
