Traffic Advisory For Grandma’s Full And Half Marathon

Thousands of runners and spectators are expected descend upon the City of Duluth and surrounding areas  this weekend.  Being on time for the events, whether it be racing, meeting the family for the spaghetti dinner or gathering to enjoy the entertainment under the Big Top Tent, getting there and finding parking will need to be factored into your travel.  Here is VERY helpful information to get you to your destination.

The following information pertains to the Full and Half Marathon.  There is a separate traffic advisory for the William A. Irvin 5K.

Starting at 12 noon on Friday, June 20, Canal Park Drive from Railroad Street to Buchanan Street will be closed for Grandma's finish line set up. This roadway will remain closed to automobile traffic until after the Grandma's Marathon Finish on Saturday June 21st.

SATURDAY JUNE 21

• Scenic Highway 61, along the lake, will be closed to traffic at 4:15 am between Duluth and Two Harbors
• Lakewood, Homestead, Ryan, and McQuade Roads will be closed from the Highway 61 Expressway to Scenic Highway 61 at 4:15 a.m.
• London Road will be closed at 6:00 a.m.
• Superior Street from 12th Avenue East to 5th Avenue West will be closed at 6:00 a.m.
• Harbor Drive, Commerce Street, Lake Place Drive and Canal Park closed at 6:00 a.m.

PARKING IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE RACE COURSE. Please observe the posted "No Parking" Signs. Violators will be towed.

CANAL PARK AREA:  parking is encouraged at the BAYFRONT PARK LOTS or the DECC, which are accessible from Railroad Street, or the AQUARIUM LOT which is accessible by 5th Ave W. Railroad Street may be accessed by either by 5th Avenue West or Garfield Avenue.

Traffic to and from Park Point will encounter long delays Friday evening and Saturday. On Saturday, during the Marathon, the only way motorists will be able to reach Park Point and the Canal Park area will be from 5th Avenue West to Railroad Street or Garfield Avenue to Railroad Street. An officer there will then direct them along the detour route to reach the Park Point and the Canal Park area without crossing the Race Course.

Northbound traffic on I-35 will be diverted up Mesaba Avenue to 2nd Street.

EAST DETOUR - East bound traffic will use 2nd Street to 21st Avenue East, then south to Superior Street, and continuing East. This detour will take effect 5:45 a.m.

WEST DETOUR - West bound traffic on Superior Street will turn North onto 21st Avenue East, then continue West on 3rd Street. This detour will take effect at 5:45 a.m.

The northbound lane of I-35 will be closed at 5:45 a.m. from Mesaba Avenue to 26th Avenue East. -The southbound lane of I-35 from 21st and 26th Avenues East will be closed at 4:15 a.m.

The freeway, and other roadways closed for the Marathon will reopen at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Motorists should slow down and be alert to special signing and lane closures on Highway 61 Expressway just south of Two Harbors.

If you have any questions contact Officer Bill Stovern at 218-730-5678.