Motorists traveling in and around the Twin Ports Interchange reconstruction project in Duluth will experience further closures and detours starting Aug. 2.
Beginning that day, according to a Minnesota Department of Transportation news release this week:
- Southbound Interstate 35 to northbound U.S. Highway 53 will close. A signed detour will follow southbound I-35 to 40th Avenue West, to Haines Road, to Highway 53. Travelers can also catch Highway 53 to the mall by taking the on-ramp at 21st Avenue West in the heart of Lincoln Park.
- Northbound U.S. I-535 from the Blatnik Bridge to northbound Highway 53 will close. The signed detour will follow northbound I-535 to Garfield Avenue, to Lower Piedmont, to West First Street, to 21st Avenue West, to northbound Highway 53.
Message signs have been installed informing motorists of the closures.
Multiple ramps are already closed, including the exit from the Blatnik Bridge to southbound I-35. The $343 million reconstruction project is replacing ramps throughout the convergence of I-35 with I-535 and Highway 53.
Major construction is expected to be completed late in 2023, with landscaping and finishing touches completed in 2024.
Interchange update meeting is Monday
MnDOT is hosting a virtual public meeting at 12:15 p.m. Monday to provide updates on the Twin Ports Interchange project in Duluth.
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To join the virtual meeting, visit mndot.gov/d1/projects/twin-ports-interchange/meetings .
Blatnik Bridge inspection to cause delays Monday
MnDOT will be conducting routine bridge inspections at the Blatnik Bridge on between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday. Motorists can expect a southbound left-lane closure.
The ramp from southbound I-35 to the Blatnik Bridge will also be temporarily closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday for inspections. There will be a detour to 21st Avenue West and back to I-535.
