St. Louis County extends detour on Rice Lake Road for another week

Rice Lake Road in Duluth will remain closed to through traffic for an extra week between Central Entrance and Arrowhead Road. The road is now set to reopen August 26.

The closure is necessary for the replacement of a culvert on Chester Creek. Working around existing utilities has taken longer than expected. The extended closure will also enable the contractor to make further progress with intersection work to better accommodate the increased traffic that will come when area schools reopen.

Detour signs are posted directing people to use Arrowhead Road, Arlington Avenue and Central Entrance for the duration of the project. The only portion of Rice Lake Road that is completely closed is between Arrowhead Road and Public Safety Drive (the entrance to the Public Safety Building, Hilltop Healthcare, and the Arrowhead Juvenile Center.) People can still access all other roads off of Rice Lake Road by traveling north from Central Entrance.

Milling and paving of Rice Lake Road is also still in progress. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution when traveling in or near work zones. Residents continue to have access to their property, but delays should be expected. 

The culvert replacement is a joint project between St. Louis County and the South St. Louis County Soil and Water Conservation District. Funding for the culvert replacement is from a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant sponsored by the State of Minnesota and Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council