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Utilities Projects Scheduled for April 25 along Michigan Street and

portion of East 4th Street

[Duluth, MN] - The City of Duluth is updating the public about two upcoming utilities projects that will improve our utility infrastructure and services: upgrades planned along Michigan Street between 5th Ave and 3^rd Ave West and a gas main replacement project on East 4^th Street (between 4th Ave and 6th Ave East), both of which start next week. The public will experience some congestion and delays due to the intersection closures and should plan additional travel time.     

Michigan St. Utilities Project:

This project entails electrical upgrades by Minnesota Power, gas and water upgrades by the City of Duluth Public Works and Utilities and a steam pipe connection for Duluth Energy Systems. The project is scheduled to commence next Monday and will be performed in four phases, starting from 3rd Ave West towards 5th Ave West. Crews will accommodate continued public access to as much of the project area as possible. Sections of Michigan Street will be temporarily converted to accommodate two-way traffic during each phase. On street parking will not be allowed. Access to the Medical Arts parking garage and 4^th Ave West parking ramp will be maintained during the entire project. The City requests that motorists travel slowly in the work zone, build in additional travel time and plan for slow moving traffic trying to access Michigan Street.     

Phase 1: The intersection of 3^rd Ave West at Michigan Street will close to vehicle traffic April 25 until May 27. The Duluth Transportation Authority plans to alter its bus routes and temporarily use the former bus stops, the Holiday Center and Transfer Center, on Superior Street during this phase of the project. Those accessing the Duluth Transportation Center parking ramp can travel south on 2^nd Ave West, then turn right onto Michigan Street as that section of the road will be converted to two-way.

Phase 2: Intersection of 3^rd Ave West to the Medical Arts building (312 West Michigan) will be blocked off April 25 to July 1. Motorists will have access to the Providence Building, Harbor City International School, Duluth Plumbing Supplies and Medical Arts Garage via 4^th Ave West. The 3^rd Avenue West Intersection will be permanently restored with new pavement once completed.

Phase 3: By the start of Phase 3 on July 18, 3^rd Ave West will be fully open to traffic. Phase 3 impacts the area from the Medical Arts Building (312 West Michigan Street) to Republic Bank (415 West Michigan Street) which will be closed off starting July 18 for 6-7 weeks. The 4^th Ave West intersection will be closed for the first 4-5 weeks but traffic will have access to Republic Bank, Ordean Building and the 4^th Ave West parking ramp via 5^th Ave West. Access to the 300 block of businesses will be available from the opposite direction via 3^rd Ave West which will be signed two-way.  

Phase 4: Starting in September, the work will impact access from Republic Bank to the 5^th Ave West corner for 4-5 weeks. The entry into the 4^th Ave West parking ramp is only accessible by traveling just south of the 4^th Ave West and Michigan Street intersection. The traditional exit out of the parking ramp onto Michigan St. will be closed for two weeks. There will only be one exit point along 4^th Ave West below Michigan Street. Accessing the parking ramp from the frontage road is highly recommended.   

Phase 5:  Concrete repairs along Michigan Street (between 6th Ave West and 5th Ave West) are also planned for late August into September as a follow up to Minnesota Power’s electrical work last summer. The north side of Michigan Street will be blocked off for approximately two weeks for site preparation and concrete pouring then will need one week to cure and harden. The goal is to open the south lane for traffic to pass while the concrete cures.

Gas main replacement on East 4^th Street (between 4^th and 6^th Ave East):

The City of Duluth Public Works and Utilities department is working with a contractor to install a 12 inch gas main along East 4^th Street, between 4^th Ave and 6^th Ave East starting Monday, April 25, 2016. The estimated completion is May 20. This project is a continuation of the upgrades completed last summer which replaced gas mains from 1^st Ave West to 4^th Ave East.   

The project will require closure of East 4^th Street at the 4th Avenue intersection thereby rerouting westbound traffic to 3^rd Street and eastbound traffic onto 2^nd Street. Sidewalks will be maintained for pedestrian traffic. The public should be aware of the current construction on 5th Ave East has blocked pedestrian access at that intersection.  

Parking on the north side of the street will not be permitted but traffic will be allowed on the south lane. The public should expect to see drilling machines, pipe fusion equipment, a loader and small excavator on site. The crew plans to work most days from 7 AM to 7 PM. Workers will attempt to minimize noise and disturbance to the street though the initial phase of the project will require concrete excavation. Workers will fully restore the road upon completion.     

The Emergency Department at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center will remain open during the construction project.  However, access from the west will be re-routed behind the Red parking ramp. Signs will be in place to clearly mark the detour routes. 

Project staff has and will continue to communicate with each affected property owner as the project progresses in addition to public notices.  Updates will be provided on duluthprogress.com

Project Engineer for both projects:  Howard Smith, hsmith@duluthmn.gov or (218) 730-5092.

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