Fitger's 5K To Impact Drivers In Downtown Duluth Saturday April 11

It's one of the sure signs of spring: The Fitger's 5K is ready to run on Saturday, April 11. Runners will hit the pavement in downtown Duluth with an expected start time of 9:00 AM.

To accommodate the race, the Duluth Police Department has issued a traffic advisory that will start to impact drivers about a half-an-hour earlier than the start time at 8:30 AM. Delays, closures and no parking signs will make sure that runners and spectators stay safe. The most-impacted area will be Superior Street, Lake Avenue, and Railroad Street.

Here are the particulars - direct from the City of Duluth:

Motorists should obey temporary “No Parking” areas on Superior Street from Lake Avenue to 8th Avenue East, and the West side of Lake Avenue South from Railroad Street down to the Aerial Lift Bridge. Violators will be cited and towed.

Traffic delays will occur for approximately 2 hours as traffic will be diverted off of Superior Street between Lake Ave and 8th Avenues East. East bound traffic is urged to use 2nd Street, and West bound urged to use 1st or 3rd Streets.

Motorists should be alert for officers directing traffic Downtown, in the Canal Park area and near the DECC.

South Lake Avenue Viaduct: The up bound lanes on the East side of South Lake Avenue Viaduct over I-35 will be closed to traffic and used for runners. The down bound lanes on the West side of the South Lake Avenue Viaduct will be coned for 2-way vehicle traffic. The two freeway ramps on the East side of the Viaduct (North bound I-35 On-Ramp and south bound I-35 Off-Ramp onto Lake Avenue) will both be closed during the race. The two freeway ramps on the West side of the Viaduct (The North bound I-35 Off-Ramp onto Lake Avenue and the South bound I-35 Entrance Ramp) will remain open.
Railroad Street: Railroad Street will be barricaded and signed closed at Garfield Avenue, however, vehicles MAY ENTER onto Railroad street at Garfield to access local businesses, but will not be allowed further west than 8th Avenue West, which is the turnaround point of the race.
Ramp Exit to Railroad Street: The exit ramp onto Railroad Street from North bound I-35 will be closed.
DECC Parking Lot: The ONLY access to the DECC from 8:30a.m. until around 10:00 a.m. will be down 5th Avenue West to Harbor Drive to the DECC East Lot Gate (near the William Irvin Tour Boat.). At around 10:00 a.m., Railroad Street and the DECC North Gate will re-open to traffic. The DECC will not be accessible via Lake Avenue until about 10 a.m.
Canal Park and Park Point: Motorists driving to Canal Park or Park Point must use the South Lake Avenue Viaduct. Canal Park Drive from Railroad Street to Morse Street will be closed briefly during the event.
Canal Park Hotels: Hotels lots on Canal Park Drive will be closed down briefly until the start of the race has completed (from about 8:45 - 9:30 a.m.). After all participants have passed through that area of Canal Park Drive, lots will re-open. Motorists wishing to get to the DECC from Canal Park need to use the Lake Avenue Viaduct to Superior Street, then to 5th Avenue West and down to Harbor Drive to the DECC East Lot Gate (near the William Irvin Tour Boat).
Fitger's and Pickwick Parking Lots: The Fitger's Ramp and Pickwick Lot will be closed just before the race, and will open immediately after.