Traffic changes due to Grandma’s Marathon Race weekend

By WDIO

As Grandma’s Marathon race weekend approaches, the Duluth Police Department is sending out a notice of road closures and impacts due to the events taking place. They are as follows:

Tuesday, June 17 – Thursday, June 19

Parking

  • The Northwest Iron Lot will close at 6 a.m. Tuesday for race setup and equipment deliveries. It will remain closed until after the race.
  • Limited public parking will be available from Tuesday through Thursday only.

Wednesday, June 18

Parking

  • The Lake City Lot will begin partial closures for race setup

Traffic

  • A temporary pedestrian bridge will be installed over Canal Park Drive, just south of Buchanan Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The road will remain open, but drivers should expect short delays. Work is expected to be completed by mid-afternoon Thursday.

Thursday, June 19

Parking

  • The Lake City Lot will fully close and remain closed until after the race

Traffic

  • Bleachers will be installed in parking spaces along Canal Park Drive early Thursday morning. Those spaces will remain closed until after the race.

Friday, June 20 – William A. Irvin 5k

Parking

  • The Lighthouse lot will close for race setup and remain closed until after the marathon.

Road closures & Traffic Changes

  • Canal Park Drive from Railroad Street to Buchanan Street, will close at 4 a.m. for finish line setup. Limited access will be granted to hotel guests.
  • Use S. Lake Avenue instead of Canal Park Drive to access areas south of Buchanan Street.
  • The road closure will remain in effect until late Saturday, June 21.

Race Impacts (1:00 p.m. start time)

  • Harbor Drive, behind the DECC, will be closed throughout the weekend.
  • Portions of Railroad Street will close at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m.
  • The Great Lakes Aquarium lot will be inaccessable from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
  • Pier B Resort and Bayfront Festival Park parking lots will only be accessible from west on Railroad Street during the race.
  • Expect traffic delays and watch for “No Parking” signs and officer directions.

Access to the DECC

  • Enter via the North Gate during the event.
  • The East Gate will be open until 11:30 a.m. and reopen at 2 p.m.

Exiting the DECC

  • Use the North, West, or parking ramp exits during the event
  • The East Gate reopens after 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 21 – Grandma’s Marathon & Bjorklund Half Marathon

Bridge Installation

  • A temporary pedestrian bridge over Superior Street, just east of Lake Avenue, will be installed between 2 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
  • Superior Street will close at 2 a.m. between Lake Avenue and 1st Avenue East.

Race Start Times

  • Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon: 6:00 a.m.
  • Grandma’s Marathon: 7:45 a.m.

Road Closures:

  • Scenic Highway 61 closes at 3:45 a.m. from McQuade Road to Ryan Road
  • Entire Scenic Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors closes at 4:15 a.m.
  • Access to Scenic Highway 61 – including Isackson, Salakka, Central Ave, and more, close at 4:15 a.m.
  • Most Duluth Roads near the race route close by 5:50 a.m., including: London Road, Superior Street (12th Ave E to 5th Ave W), Michigan Street (4th Ave E to 5th Ave W), Commerce, Railroad, Lake Place Drive, and Canal Park Drive
  • I-35 Southbound (21st Ave E to Lake Ave) closes at 4:30 a.m.
  • I-35 Northbound (26th Ave E to Mesaba Ave) closes at 5:30 a.m. – Traffic diverted to 2nd Street via Mesaba Avenue
  • 1st Street westbound access to Mesaba Avenue closed at 5:30 a.m.

Reopenings

  • Most roadways, including I-35, will reopen by approximately 3:30 p.m.

Saturday Detours & Access

Detours in place at 5:30 a.m.

  • Eastbound: Use 2nd Street to 21st Ave E, then Superior Street.
  • Westbound: Use Superior Street to 21st Ave E, then 3rd Street to Mesaba Ave.
  • Alternate routes: 1st and 4th Streets.

Canal Park & Park Point

  • Use 5th Avenue West and follow detour signs. No access via Lake Avenue/Superior Street during the race.

DECC & Bayfront Festival Park

  • Access via 5th Avenue West or Garfield Avenue to Railroad Street. No access via Lake Avenue.

London Road

  • Closed at 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Local access via Superior Street and Jefferson Street.
  • Spectators may park along side streets near London Road.

Duluth Depot, Library, & Gateway tours

  • Access via Superior Street and 6th Avenue West.

Parking

  • No parking allowed on the racecourse. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
  • For Canal Park access, use lots at: Bayfront Festival Park, DECC, Great Lakes Aquarium, Downtown Duluth ramps.
  • In Downtown Duluth, public ramp and on-street parking will be available along Superior Street and 1st Street between 6th Ave East and Lake Avenue.
  • Michigan Street will close and offer no ramp access during the race.