Traffic advisory, closures for Inline Marathon

The 26th annual NorthShore Inline Marathon is Saturday, September 17. Founded in 1996, thousands of athletes of all ages will be participating in this year’s event, which includes inline skaters, roller skiers, and runners. The 26.2 mile course starts in Two Harbors and winds its way down Highway 61 to the finish in Downtown Duluth. Fans can gather along the race route to cheer on the athletes.

The City of Duluth would like to remind visitors and residents of traffic advisories during the weekend of the NorthShore Inline Marathon, September 16-17. Several area roads will close for this event. Parking will be prohibited on closed roads, and vehicles will be subject to ticketing and towing.

On Friday, September 16, at 3:00 p.m Harbor Drive between the Irvin slip and the Aquarium will close to traffic for Kid’s Inline Sprint Races. The Great Lakes Aquarium lot will remain accessible during this time. It will open at the conclusion of the Inline Marathon on Sunday, September 18 at 8:00 p.m.

Traffic Advisory Summary for Saturday, September 17:

• Beginning at 5:00 a.m., most avenues leading to London Road will close at London Road from 26th Avenue East to 60th Avenue East.
• At 5:30 a.m., Scenic Highway 61 will close. Local traffic will be directed off the Scenic Highway toward the Expressway.
• At 6:15 a.m., southbound traffic on the Hwy 61 Expressway will be diverted onto Superior Street and northbound I-35 traffic will be diverted to Mesaba Ave to follow marked detours.
• Starting at 6:15 a.m., London Road from 26th Ave. E. to 60th Ave. E. will close, Harbor Drive will close, Interstate 35 from Mesaba Ave. to 26th Ave. E. will close, and 5th Ave. W. between Michigan St. and the Aquarium will be reduced to one lane.
• At approximately 6:15 a.m., 60th Ave. E. will close from Tioga St. to Superior St., with traffic being diverted to 58th and 61st Avenues East, and DTA buses diverted to 58th Ave. E.

This year’s race includes inline skaters, roller skiers, and runners competing in races of varying lengths and starting at various times between 6:45 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Further race details can be found at www.northshoreinline.com.

According to the Duluth Police Department, roads will re-open from east to west as racers near the finish area on Harbor Drive near the DECC. All roads will re-open by 2:00 p.m.

Downtown Duluth and Canal Park will remain open to traffic during this event. Canal Park, Park Point, the Great Lakes Aquarium, and the DECC will be accessible by using Lake Avenue to Railroad Street or southbound on 5th Avenue West to Railroad Street.

Additional Closure Details and Detours:

• Northbound Interstate 35 will close from Mesaba Ave. to 26th Ave. East. Southbound Interstate 35 will close from 26th Ave. E. to Lake Ave. from 6:15 a.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m.
• Entrance ramps onto southbound I-35 will close at 26th Ave. E. and 21st Ave. E. Entrance ramps onto northbound I-35 will close at 5th Ave. West, Lake Avenue, and from Michigan St. at 2nd Avenue East.
• EASTBOUND LOCAL STREETS AND NORTHBOUND I-35 DETOUR- Traffic will use 2nd Street from Mesaba Ave. to 19th Avenue East, then proceed up 19th Avenue East to 4th Street, then travel East on 4th Street to 24th Ave East, down 24th Ave E to Superior Street. Traffic can then travel east.
• -WESTBOUND LOCAL STREETS AND SOUTHBOUND I-35 DETOUR – Traffic will use Superior Street from the Highway 61 Expressway to 24st Avenue East, proceed north on 24st Avenue East to 4th Street. Traffic will then travel west on 4th Street to 14th Ave E, down 14th Ave E, and then west on 3rd Street to Mesaba Ave.

The 5th Avenue West Viaduct will be limited to one southbound lane with no northbound lane. The open lane on 5th Ave. W. will allow access to the southbound I-35, the Aquarium, Railroad Street, and the DECC.