South bound traffic entering Duluth on 61 will be rerouted to Superior Street and catch up with the start of 35. You will be rerouted around regular 61 and the mansions, I counted six stop lights instead of two.

Sundays are going to be a bear. I drove it the other day. I'll see if I can find an article. It will be closed all summer as they put in two roundabouts on Hwy 61.


From MN DOT

Any sneak-route recommendations for those of us returning to MSP from Thunder Bay on a Sunday in late May?

Hmmm, there’s an echo in here:

Closures on London Rd./Hwy. 61

There are no good secret alternatives. The Lester Park locals are already clogging Arrowhead Road during the morning and afternoon commutes. I suspect that traffic will get even worse on Sundays from North Shore visitors trying to get home, especially when they encounter the Woodland/Snively intersection with their RVs and boat trailers.

The lights on Superior Street have obviously been timed to mitigate the expected congestion, but squeezing that Sunday traffic onto a single lane will negate the intended benefit, IMO.

I thought there was a thread about this, but for some reason I couldn't find it.
That makes two of us locals that think this will be a real mess, especially on Sundays when cabin owners from the shore and Gunflint Trail return home after the weekends.

So this shouldn't have any effect on northbound traffic? We'll be going north through Duluth on May 31st.

NEIowapaddler: "So this shouldn't have any effect on northbound traffic? We'll be going north through Duluth on May 31st."

You should be good going north, especially on a Sunday, Friday afternoon is the trouble time for weekend northbound travelers.

NEIowapaddler: "So this shouldn't have any effect on northbound traffic? We'll be going north through Duluth on May 31st."

I am reminded of what happened in Seattle when some idiot decided to install a fountain alongside one of the busiest bridges in the country. It caused such horrendous backups among the gawkers that it had to be dismantled. I think the presence of the barriers alongside the northbound lane and the nervousness of some RV and trailer operators will cause some gnashing of teeth. Time will tell.

And you heard it first here: The most likely place for a serious accident is at the intersection of the Scenic Route and the Expressway. Southbound vehicles coming off the Scenic Route have to execute a quick crossing maneuver in front of the accelerating northbound drivers. People already flout the 40 mph zone there; their impatience will only increase the odds of a major collision.

Duluth has been under construction my entire life! I'm 53. I can't remember ever going there without massive construction!

Dreamer: "Duluth has been under construction my entire life! I'm 53. I can't remember ever going there without massive construction!"

This will be music to your ears. ;-)

“ March 17, 2026
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced Minnesota has secured more than $1 billion in federal investments to replace the Blatnik Bridge between Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin, clearing the way for the largest public works project in Minnesota history.”





Governor Walz Announces Federal Funding Secured for Blatnik Bridge Project

gravelroad: "

Dreamer: "Duluth has been under construction my entire life! I'm 53. I can't remember ever going there without massive construction!"

This will be music to your ears. ;-)


“ March 17, 2026
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced Minnesota has secured more than $1 billion in federal investments to replace the Blatnik Bridge between Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin, clearing the way for the largest public works project in Minnesota history.”

Yes it never ends, just when we get the Can of Worms done, this follows.
Thankfully it is a bout a house a piece for me to use the Bong Bridge, but I'll miss the Blatnik. It was just so easy for me.

Governor Walz Announces Federal Funding Secured for Blatnik Bridge Project "

gravelroad: "

Dreamer: "Duluth has been under construction my entire life! I'm 53. I can't remember ever going there without massive construction!"

This will be music to your ears. ;-)


“ March 17, 2026
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced Minnesota has secured more than $1 billion in federal investments to replace the Blatnik Bridge between Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin, clearing the way for the largest public works project in Minnesota history.”

Governor Walz Announces Federal Funding Secured for Blatnik Bridge Project "

Yes it never ends, just when we get the Can of Worms done, this follows.
Thankfully it is about a horse a piece for me to use the Bong Bridge, but I'll miss the Blatnik. It was just so easy for me.

LindenTree: "Yes it never ends, just when we get the Can of Worms done, this follows.
Thankfully it is about a horse a piece for me to use the Bong Bridge, but I'll miss the Blatnik. It was just so easy for me."

Every time I hear "Bong Bridge" it makes me chuckle. Yes, I know who it's named for, but still...

LindenTree: "

NEIowapaddler: "So this shouldn't have any effect on northbound traffic? We'll be going north through Duluth on May 31st."

You should be good going north, especially on a Sunday, Friday afternoon is the trouble time for weekend northbound travelers."

Just be aware that the northbound curved exit ramp from I-35 to London Rd is closed. Instead, stay on I-35 until the stoplight intersection with London Road, then take a right.

*Edit- the exit ramp has reopened, so northbound traffic exchange from I-35 to London Road flows as usual.