It’s that time of the year again! As we enter the month of May, the entire state braces itself for Road Construction Season! This is your 2024 road construction update outlining only a few projects that will affect your trip to the North Shore this summer. While we will have a few projects in Duluth, overall road construction should not interfere with your actual vacation to the North Shore too much. Definitely nothing like what we have seen in recent years. This year, once you clear Duluth, it should be pretty smooth sailing all the way up the shore with only one small area before Two Harbors. Enjoy a lovely, leisurely, road construction free drive from Two Harbors to Grand Marais.
I-35 Before Duluth
Guests taking the I-35 from the Twin Cities to Duluth will find a few projects that may affect their drive up. Primarily the Hinckley Bridge Replacement Project and the Atkinson Bridge Rehabilitation. Both projects started earlier in 2024 and are scheduled to continue through the summer.
Expecting to last over two years, the Hinkley project is the largest in the area and will result in ramp detours and single-land head-to-head traffic. So, anticipate stops and waits in this area. Avoid it if you can. Work is expected to begin in mid-May and will affect 3.2 miles of I-35 both north and southbound. See the map below for the bridge work location:
The Atkinson Bridge area just outside Carlton will see 1.4 miles of work causing single-lane traffic in both directions starting on May 1, 2024. Work is scheduled to be completed in September 2024. See the map below for the affect bridge/area:
I-35 in Duluth
The dreaded “Can of Worms” Project in Duluth enters its fourth and (hopefully) final year (for drivers on I-35, anyway!) ! If you’ve driven through Duluth anytime since 2021, you will know this is the area near the I-35 and 535 interchange (the hill leading up to the mall and the bridge to Superior). This project has several ramps and streets closed down to traffic and detours to navigate several Duluth neighborhoods. See the current traffic impacts to see how this will affect your journey through Duluth. Hopefully, the 2024 road construction update will be the last with this project! See the map below for the areas that will be affected this summer:
New this year, starting in July is the I-35 Duluth Bridge Rehabilitation. This 2-year long project is scheduled to begin in July 2024, after Grandma’s Marathon. Affecting I-35 near downtown Duluth and the Canal Park area, this project will see lane closures and ramp closures. Lane closures will happen on I-35 from 5th Ave W to 21st Ave E. The Lake Ave Ramp and Michigan Street on-ramp will also be closed during this portion of the project. See below for the 2024 work zone map:
Highway 61 Between Duluth and Two Harbors
Only one (rather large) project to worry about this year! That is the Highway 61 Expressway Resurfacing. This project will start right outside of Duluth and continue until McQuade Road outside of Two Harbors. This project is scheduled to begin in July and will require lane closures throughout the summer. See the map below for the affected area:
Gunflint Trail and Other Cook County Projects
While the Lutsen and Grand Marais areas will not see any projects this summer that would directly affect visitors to these towns, there are some side road projects that may affect trips up the Gunflint Trail or in Grand Portage. Cook County has its own 2024 Road Construction Update page where you can find all of the projects scheduled for 2024 and 2025 to see if any will affect your planned travels.
A Reminder on How to Zipper Merge
Just a quick reminder on how to treat and perform the zipper merge, as you will likely encounter a few during your travels this summer. The Minnesota Department of Transportation states that when a lane is closed in a construction zone, and traffic speeds are slowing down as a result, motorists SHOULD use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area and SHOULD NOT merge early. Then, cars alternate going into the open lane like a zipper. This method benefits all drivers and decreases the chances of accidents if done correctly. It also helps reduce the overall length of a traffic backup by as much as 40%.
So just remember, when approaching a merge at a construction site, hold your lane and “zipper” into the open lane with the other lane of traffic. It is not suggested that you merge early unless there is only light traffic and speeds are not being affected. Allow closing-lane traffic to merge at the merge, not before. Remember, it is illegal to cut off drivers in the closing lane before the merge and can cause an accident that will further slow down traffic.
And that has been your 2024 Road Construction Update! As always, when in a construction area, reduce your speed and watch for workers.
We hope everyone has save travels to and from the North Shore this summer season!