Who Plows What? County Crews Handle Some Roads in City

Plows are operated by state, county, and city governments, generally plowing the roads owned by their level of government.  Some residents may not realize that many main thoroughfares within city limits are county-owned roads.

St. Louis County Public Works is responsible for 3,000 miles of roads.  Some of the county roads in the Duluth and Hermantown area that are plowed by county crews include:

• East 4th Street from 6th Avenue East to Woodland Avenue
• Arlington Avenue
• Arrowhead Road
• Haines Road
• Highland Street
• Howard Gnesen Road
• Jean Duluth Road
• Kenwood Road
• Lavaque Road
• Lester River Road
• Maple Grove Road
• Martin Road
• Midway Road
• Morris Thomas Road
• Rice Lake Road
• Stebner Road
• Woodland Avenue

Additionally, St. Louis County crews also plow the roads in unorganized townships.  They also clear the roads in some organized townships through plowing agreements.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Department of Transportation crews clear federal and state highways, such as I-35, U.S. Highway 53, and Highway 194 (Central Entrance and Mesaba Avenue in Duluth).

Local municipalities are responsible for most other local roads, though a St. Louis County spokesperson said the county and municipalities have agreements for one or the other to plow certain stretches of road when it saves time and money for both sides.