Traffic Notice: NorthShore Inline Skate Marathon on Saturday

The NorthShore Inline Skate Marathon is Saturday, September 14. It’s the 28th year for this premier event on the North Shore and Duluth. The public should be aware of traffic changes due to the event that follows the 26.2 mile course connecting Two Harbors to Downtown Duluth.

According to the Duluth Police Department, parking will be prohibited on the closed roads, and vehicles found in violation will be subject to ticketing and towing. Road closures will be lifted from east to west as racers near the finish area.

5 a.m.
Most avenues leading to London Road will close at London Road from 26th Avenue East to 60th Avenue East.

5:30 a.m.
Scenic Highway 61 will close. Local traffic will be directed off the Scenic Highway toward the Expressway.

6:15 a.m.
Southbound traffic on the Highway 61 Expressway will be diverted onto Superior Street and northbound I-35 traffic will be diverted to Mesaba Avenue to follow marked detours.
London Road from 26th Avenue East to 60th Avenue East will close
Harbor Drive will close
Interstate 35 from Mesaba Avenue to 26th Avenue East will close
5th Avenue West between Michigan Street and the Aquarium will be reduced to one lane.

At approximately 6:15 a.m.
60th Avenue East will close from Tioga Street to Superior Street, with traffic being diverted to 58th and 61st Avenues East
DTA buses diverted to 58th Avenue East.

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.

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 Avenue to 26th Avenue East.
• Southbound Interstate 35 will close from 26th Avenue East to Lake Avenue from 6:15 a.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m.
• Entrance ramps onto southbound I-35 will close at 26th Avenue East and 21st Avenue East.
• Entrance ramps onto northbound I-35 will close at 5th Avenue West, Lake Avenue, and from Michigan Street at 2nd Avenue East.

EASTBOUND LOCAL STREETS AND NORTHBOUND I-35 DETOUR– Traffic will use Mesaba Avenue to 2nd Street to 6th Avenue East, then proceed to 4th Street to 21st Avenue East 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 21st Avenue East, proceed north on 21st Avenue East to 4th Street. Traffic will then travel west on 4th Street to 6th Avenue East, to 3rd Street to Mesaba Avenue.

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