DTA Bus Crash in Downtown Duluth Sends Several to the Hospital, Forces Road Closure

Just after 5 am Tuesday morning two Duluth Transit Authority buses collided on Superior Street, sending several passengers to the hospital and leading Superior Street between 4th Avenue West and 6th Avenue West to be closed. As of 9:30 Tuesday morning, several emergency response vehicles remained at the scene, and the roadway remains closed.

Our news partners at WDIO inform us that one of the buses was heading eastbound from Gary New Duluth, heading toward downtown. The other bus was heading westbound from Woodland to Proctor. DTA Director of Administration and Planning Jim Helig told WDIO there was about half a dozen passengers on each bus at the time of the incident.

The Duluth News Tribune is reporting that the eastbound bus apparently crossed the center line after hitting a stop sign and stop lights at the intersection of Superior Street and 5th Avenue West prior to the two busses colliding. Some passengers left the scene in taxis uninjured, other passengers and one of the drivers were taken to area hospitals, and the DNT reports the crash also led to at least one fatality.

Bus Route Impacts

The DTA has announced route detours for buses that normally travel along this stretch of Superior street. These detours will be in effect until the roadway is once again clear:

Eastbound buses detour as follows: Regular route to Superior Street and 6th Avenue West, then 6th Avenue West to Michigan Street, Michigan Street to 4th Avenue West, 4th Avenue West to Superior Street and regular route.

Westbound buses detour as follows: Regular route to Superior Street and 3rd Avenue West, then 3rd Avenue West to 1st Street, 1st Street to 6th Avenue West, 6th Avenue West to Superior Street and regular route.