Traffic Changes To Impact Duluth’s Canal Park As Railroad Street Project Continues

The latest phase of work on Railroad Street in Duluth's Canal Park is going to lead to a pair of notable temporary traffic changes this week.

The Railroad Street resurfacing project, which started this spring, is expected to be completed in by mid-September.

Aspects of work being done this week as the completion of the project nears will lead to a one-day tempoary traffic change today (Thursday), followed by another change on Friday. Here's a look at the changes to be aware of:

Thursday, August 27 Canal Park traffic changes

City of Duluth

According to communications from the organization Downtown Duluth about the project, today's impacts include:

5th Avenue West to Harbor Drive: Traffic along Railroad Street from 5th Avenue West to Harbor Drive will shift to a one lane on each side of the median being open. During this time, all entry points to the DECC will be open

Harbor Drive and Canal Park Drive: Traffic along Railroad Street from Harbor Drive to Canal Park Drive will shift to two-way traffic on the harbor side of the median (the nearer side to the William A. Irvin and Red Lobster).

The two lanes on the other side of the median will be closed while signal arms on the downtown side of the street are put in place.

READ MORE: Lengthy Closure Of Sizable Part Of Duluth's Lakewalk For Months-Long Project Now Underway

Officials say there may be minor delays at Lake Place Drive while signals are set at that intersection, but all locations should have access.

The map above shows the changes for Thursday.

Friday, August 28 Canal Park traffic changes

City of Duluth

As seen in the map above, another set of changes will go into effect on Friday.

5th Avenue West to Harbor Drive: Traffic along Railroad Street between 5th Avenue West and Harbor Drive will remain the same as Thursday, with one lane open on either side of the median. Traffic may be shifted from the outside to inside lane or vice versa on either side of the median from time to time as needed to complete work.

Harbor Drive to Canal Park Drive: Traffic along Railroad Street from Harbor Drive to Canal Park Drive will change to match what is being done between 5th Avenue West and Harbor Drive, with one lane open on either side of the median. This will remain the case until the completion of the project.

Lake Ave (traveling toward downtown): Due to work needing to be done on the signal pole in front of Canal Park Lodge, a temporary closure of Lake Avenue going toward downtown will be necessary.

This temporary closure is being limited to a two-hour window from 10 am until noon on Friday. The hope is to complete this work in less than two hours.

During this time, traffic going toward downtown will be detoured toward Canal Park Lodge, under the Lake Avenue overpass, and onto Railroad Street, where you'll have to use 5th Avenue West to get to downtown.

Access to Canal Park from Downtown along Lake Avenue will not be impacted during this time.

When will the Railroad Street project be completed?

The goal is to complete the project by mid-September. After this week's traffic signal work, the next phase of the project will be to replace the median in front of the ICO, along with other things like installing pedestrian buttons, adding pavement markings, installing traffic signs, and getting the new traffic signals going.

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City officials say they hope to see the work completed by the week of September 14, but before the permanent traffic signals are completely up and running, you may see them in flashing mode, making the impacted intersection a four-way stop temporarily.