Twin Ports Interchange Reconstruction Project

Monthly Update

July 29, 2019

Twin Ports Interchange (TPI) 2020-2023
I-535 /Garfield Avenue (2021-2022)
 Project Purpose/Goals

• Enhance safety by eliminating blind merges and left exits

• Moving left exits to the right
• Relocating merges

• Replace aging infrastructure

• Reconstructing weight restricted and non-redundant bridges
• Reduces maintenance and closures
• Eliminates some bridge structure

• Improve freight mobility

• Allow oversize/overweight freight on the Interstate
• First and last mile to port!

7/29/2019 mndot.gov 4
 2019 Local Streets Update

• Railroad Crossings on RR Street

(BNSF) have arrived.
• RR crossing work during weeks of 8/19
and 8/26 while remaining open on
weekends
• Railroad Street paving to follow

• Garfield Avenue and Railroad St.

opened on Friday.
• 46th Ave and 27th Ave W work in late
August through early September
 Interchange Work - August 2019

• Geotechnical and environmental drilling

• Ground improvement test section

• Pile Tests for bridge (some noise)

• Pumping and video taping storm sewer along Michigan Street

• Test wells for pumping of water

• For building owners:
• Pre-condition surveys within 300 feet of the project.
 Pre-Conditon Surveys

• Usually any building within 300 feet of the project.

• Will be vibrations from pile driving, blasting not anticipated.

• Done by American Engineering Testing, Duluth

• Impacted owners will first receive a certified letter.

• Building survey prior to November at the owners convenience.

• Average time is 1 ½ - 2 hours.
 Cross City Trail

• Hired Toole Design to design temporary • Three detour options:

route
• 1St Street
• Will close in Spring 2020 along Lower
Michigan • Superior Street
• Michigan Street
• Public Input Meeting
• DTA Board Room 2402 West Michigan
• Wednesday, July 31 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
• Thursday, August 1 7:30 am

• Comments can be sent to Cindy Voigt,

City Engineer by August 9.
Cross City Trail Alternatives
 Exhibit 8

10

Bridge/Wall Next to Lower Michigan near 21st

7/29/2019
 The Story
Every place has a story. The story tells
project elements reflect the fabric of
Local Stone us about a place and its history and Duluth; the indigenous and manmade
culture; about the people who live materials found in the places
there now, the people that shaped its Duluthians live and work. Local stone
past, and the people that will patterns are derived from the iconic
determine its future. The story should rock outcropping we see on the
be a unique one. One that can only Duluth hillsides and the taconite pellet
be told about this place and one that texture reflects just one of the many
Taconite Pellets would not want to be mistaken for industrious materials leaving the
the story of another place. docks in the fleet “lakers” that harbor
in the Port of Duluth. Miller Creek is
Rocks to Docks represented in the break line where
Skyline to Shoreline the two materials meet as it weaves
its way through the neighborhood
The walls and bridges of the TPI
making its way down to the bay. The
Project provide a great opportunity to
vertical stacked stone columns
tell the story of Lincoln Park. The
between the panels represent the
forms, textures, and colors of the
neighborhood’s strong identity to local
industry and the skilled tradesmen
and women who helped build this part
of Duluth, both past and present.

11 Exhibit 1

The Lincoln Park Neighborhood Story

7/29/2019
12 Exhibit 2

General Landscape Approach

7/29/2019
 Exhibit 5

13

TH53 Bridge Piers and Pier Caps

7/29/2019
Meet on the Street Exhibit Recap, July 14
Meet on the Street Exhibit Recap, July 14

Option 3: Option 1:
As many activated As much parking as possible
spaces as possible 3%
52%

Option 2:
A mix of parking
and activated
spaces
45%
Meet on the Street Exhibit Recap, July 14

Skateboard Park

Children’s Play Space

Art Displays

Bike Station

Sports Courts

Gathering Spaces

Winter Activity

Green Space

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Stickers
 Outreach Efforts

• Visited 50 + businesses in the last few weeks

• Approximately 300 contacts at “Meet in the Street”

• More in next few weeks

• Residential door to door -will leave info on door

• Meeting for Midtowne Manor

• Others???
 Upcoming Meetings

• Public Update Meeting -Monday, August 26, 2019

• Clyde Iron
• 11:30 -12:30 and 6:00 – 7:00 pm with presentations 11:45 and 6:15

• Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting - August 8

• Visual Quality Committee – TBD
• Hwy 53 Uses Group – TBD
• Spirit Valley Days –August 3
• Grill Wars–August 14 Bayfront
• Farmer’s Market – Lincoln Park and Superior
Questions/Comments?

Roberta Dwyer, Project Manager

Roberta.dwyer@state.mn.us 218-348-7457
 Summer & Fall 2020

I-35 is in a single lane configuration.

Ramps connecting SB 53 to SB 35, NB 35 to NB 53, and NB 535 to SB 35 are closed.
The 27th Ave W bridge is closed, as well as Lower Michigan St.
 Fall 2020

SB I-35 is utilizing the bypass. NB I-35 is shifted onto existing SB I-35 lanes.
Ramps from NB I-35 and SB I-35 to the Blatnik Bridge are closed, in addition to the others.
The 27th Ave W bridge has reopened.
Lower Michigan Street Bypass
 Construction Activities
Winter 2021 – Fall 2022

I-35 & Main Interchange

• Demolish SB I-35 low level bridges

• Construct remaining bridges and ramps

• Reconnect all movements

US 53 Bridges & 21st Ave W Ramps

• Demolish bridges and ramps

• Construct new US 53 bridges

• Construct new 21st Ave W ramps

Winter 2020 – Fall 2021

I-35 traffic remains in the same configuration.

All ramps are now closed, except SB 35 to NB 53.
21St Ave W ramps remain open.
 Construction Activities
Winter 2020 – Fall 2021
Demolition Construction
NB I-35 low level bridges I-35 & Main Interchange

Garfield Ave interchange Construct new NB & SB I-35

Closed ramps in main interchange Complete bridges connecting NB I-35 to I-535

Begin constructing other ramps

Garfield Ave Interchange

Construct new interchange

 Late Fall 2021

SB I-35 is still utilizing the bypass. NB I-35 is shifted onto newly completed NB I-35 lanes.
Ramps between NB I-35 and the Blatnik Bridge (I-535) are reopened.
 Winter 2021 – Fall 2022

I-35 traffic is driving on the newly completed road.

Highway 53 is closed, including the 21st Ave W ramps.
Lower Michigan St. remains closed.
 Staging Summary

• Maintaining two lanes in each

direction on I-35 will keep traffic
flowing

• Lower Michigan St. bypass will

reduce traffic diversions through
Lincoln Park
• Year-round construction will help
insure timely project completion