About this project
Traffic impacts
During construction, motorists travelling on I-35 can expect lane shifts. There will be limited single lane closures and several overnight full closures later in the summer.
Pedestrians will be detoured starting the morning of June 12 until October 2026. Three different detour stages will be used based on other area projects. Exact dates of stage changes are to be determined. The first stage will start on June 12 and follow the City of Duluth's Cross City trail detour. Detour maps are below.
Learn more about MnDOT's Hwy 194 Mesaba bridges project.
Learn more about the City of Duluth's West Superior Street project.
Summary of work
The pedestrian bridge over the I-35/Mesaba Avenue interchange in Duluth will be replaced in 2026.
This project is being delivered using the Design-Build contracting method, which allows for increased flexibility and collaboration between the designer and the contractor. While this approach can accelerate project delivery and improve coordination, it also means that design-build activities are already underway and certain schedules for design deliverables and construction milestones are managed at the contractor’s discretion. As a result, project timelines may shift as work progresses, and MnDOT’s ability to provide updates will depend on the contractor’s schedule.
A visual quality committee met regularly in 2023 to develop design guidance for this project. The bridge will have concrete parapet walls with a decorative steel railing in the shape of a wave on top of it. The bridge piers will have concrete stamped to give it a stone-like look.
Public meeting
We held a public meeting on Aug. 9, 2023, in the Lincoln Park Community Center to discuss the pedestrian bridge project. We gathered information on concerns with the existing bridge.