Lakewalk & Coastal Improvements
Project Overview:
The Lakewalk is a critical transportation route connecting neighborhoods, downtown Duluth, the Canal Park business district and the Lake Superior waterfront. The Lakewalk has experienced damage from past storm events and will experience future damage unless the City acts to ensure its long-term resiliency by mitigating the impacts of future storm events.
The Lakewalk & Coastal Improvements project (state project #118-090-029) spans Endion Station at the corner of the Lake to roughly 27th Avenue East and will include shoreline restoration and enhancements, trail relocation and reconstruction, ADA accessibility improvements, including a bypass trail adjacent to Leif Erikson Park, improved wayfinding and connections between downtown and the Lakewalk, and implementation of pause area updates and interpretive elements.
The heavy use of this portion of the Lakewalk will certainly make this project and associated detours more complex with disruptions to multimodal commuters, visitors, and residents that use and enjoy this stretch of the Lakewalk. The short-term disruption will result in a much-improved Lakewalk. Thank you for your patience during construction.
Please direct project inquiries to Allison Brooks, Project Coordinator, at abrooks@duluthmn.gov or use the comment form at the bottom of this page.
Project Update:
The Lakewalk is closed northeast of Leif Erikson Park to Water Street. Leif Erikson is open to use. A detour is posted. The detour route eastward is via the Rose Garden to London Road to S 21st Ave E to 23rd Ave E. Large equipment is hauling material. Pavement condition has been affected, and trail passage is unsafe. Thank you for your patience and for following the posted detours.
Detour map (click image to view larger in new window):
You're Invited! Join us for a virtual informational presentation about the project on Thursday, September 3 at 2:00 pm via Microsoft Teams. The presentation will be recorded and shared on this page when available for those unable to join live.
Link to Join: bit.ly/4qzOBbf.
Sign up for emailed project updates: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/cj0dVbVByK
Funding Source:
The City of Duluth was awarded an $8.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and a matching grant of $2.05 million from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Technical Assistance Program for this project. Additional project support includes $2 million from city resources.
Grant Details: MnDOT Agreement No. 1059903, USDOT RAISE Grant and MnDOT IIJA Match Program Grant for the Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project
Agency Leadership: Cari Pedersen, Director of Public Works and Utilities, cpedersen@duluthmn.gov
Grant Manager: Duncan Schwensohn, Provisional Chief Engineer of Transportation, dschwensohn@duluthmn.gov
Contractor: Rachel Contracting, LLC
Timeline:
July 2026: Bidding and contractor selection
August 12, 2026: Staff provided a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission. A copy of the presentation is provided in the Important Documents section below.
August 18, 2026: Work began on the new bypass trail at Leif Erikson Park. Lakewalk closure between Leif Erikson Park and Water Street through October.
September 3, 2026: Community informational presentation about the project to be held at 2:00 pm via Microsoft Teams. The presentation will be recorded. The slides will be added to the Important Documents section below when available for those that are unable to join live. Link to Join Virtual Presentation: bit.ly/4qzOBbf
September 28, 2026: New closure starts - west of Leif Erikson Park as work continues on the new bypass trail and contractors begin building retaining walls. Detour to start between Fitger's and Leif Erikson. The Leif Erikson Park will remain open, but no access east or west for Lakewalk.
Work may begin at the Alexander Street switchback near 27th Avenue East (northeast of the London Road underpass).
November 2026: Construction pauses over winter and Lakewalk open for use.
April 2027: Construction starts for 2027 season.
December 2027: Substantial completion of project.
Project Partners:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Minnesota Department of Transportation
LHB, Inc.
Rachel Contracting, LLC
