Construction on the long-anticipated West Superior Street reconstruction project is set to begin Monday, May 11, bringing major traffic changes, sidewalk disruptions and utility work to Duluth’s Lincoln Park business district as city officials emphasize communication and business access throughout the process.
City engineers, contractors and business leaders outlined the plans during a public informational meeting Thursday morning at The Caddy Shack, 2023 W. Superior St., where officials described the project as one of the largest infrastructure efforts currently underway in western Duluth.
The initial construction phase will close portions of West Superior Street west of Garfield Avenue, sections near West Michigan Street and several intersections along the corridor. Vehicle detours will reroute traffic through 21st Avenue West, First Street and Fifth Avenue West as crews begin extensive underground utility replacement work.
Project officials said the most disruptive portion of the work will involve installation of a new large-diameter water main buried roughly eight feet underground.
“It requires a very large trench,” said City of Duluth Project Engineer Alex Popp explained during the meeting, noting that crews also will replace storm sewer infrastructure and reconstruct sidewalks throughout the corridor.
Officials warned that some overnight construction will be necessary, particularly during water main connections and sidewalk work near business entrances. Businesses and residents will receive advance notice through press releases and mailings before overnight work occurs.
Maintaining pedestrian access to businesses will remain a priority, according to project leaders, although temporary interruptions are expected when sidewalks are poured directly in front of building entrances.
“We are maintaining pedestrian access to the building front doors as much as possible,” Popp said, adding that temporary walkways and pedestrian crossings will be installed throughout the project area.
The Cross City Trail also will face temporary detours during portions of the construction, particularly near West Michigan Street and 27th Avenue West.
Stephanie LaFleur, owner of The Caddy Shack and president of the Lincoln Park Business Group, announced she is transitioning into the role of project information coordinator to help businesses communicate directly with the construction team.
“My job is to make sure we get those answers and get that facilitated to you,” LaFleur told the audience of close to 50 people.
LaFleur said communication will be critical because the corridor contains 179 small businesses that could be affected during construction.
“Communication is key,” she said following the meeting. “We need to make sure they’re taken care of, and communication is the best way to do that.”
Project Manager Jon Carlson of Northland Constructors was also in attendance.
Weekly public construction meetings will be held Thursdays at 2 p.m. at The Caddy Shack, and businesses and residents were encouraged to sign up for city press releases (duluthmn.gov/web-subscriptions) and monitor the project website (westsuperiorstreet.com) for updates on closures, detours and utility interruptions.
The project also coincides with several nearby city and Minnesota Department of Transportation projects, including work on the I-35 pedestrian bridge and improvements near Mesaba Avenue. I-35 will be closed the weekend of June 12-14 for the pedestrian overpass project.
