Here’s How MNDOT Will Reduce Oversize Load Traffic Jams In Duluth [PHOTOS]
For some time now, the Twin Ports - especially Duluth - has been the port of call for ships transporting large, oversize cargo. From the ship to the rail or highway, that cargo then travels to its final destination, utilizing the "farthest inland port in the United States" as its jumping-off point.
Perhaps most of us have encountered one of those trucks carrying an oversize load on Garfield Avenue, Mesaba Avenue, Central Entrance, I-35, or one of the major arterial highway routes in the Twin Ports. Usually they make their way through town during the late overnight hours. However, sometimes the timing can't be avoided and the trucks - and their related convoy and relay vehicles - will create traffic jams or backups as they make their way through town.
One of those traffic backups occurred on Monday, October 31 - around mid-morning on Garfield Avenue. The traffic stoppage was unexpected by all of the parties involved. Nonetheless, it took a few hours for things to open up again.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation took that opportunity to spotlight the steps that they are taking to solve those sort of backup problems in the future. Those solutions are built into the designs of the Twin Ports Interchange Project, the current work on Garfield Avenue, and - eventually - as part of the replacement for the Blatnik Bridge, which connects Highway 53 to Wisconsin.
MNDOT also took the time to share some new photos of the work on their Facebook page. These pictures primarily show the progress being made on Garfield Avenue from these aerial shots.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation offers up to date and complete details about all of the work they coordinate throughout the state on their website. Locally, Twin Ports residents can check out the page dedicated to the Twin Ports Interchange Project.