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Traffic Advisory: North Shore Inline Skate Marathon

Traffic Advisories for Friday, September 15:

On Friday, September 15, at 3 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 Monday, September 18 at 8 p.m.

Traffic Advisory Summary for Saturday, September 16:

The North Shore Inline Skate Marathon will be held on Saturday, September 16. Several area roads will close for this event. Parking will be prohibited on the closed roads, and vehicles found in violation will be subject to ticketing and towing.

Beginning at 5 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 Highway 61 Expressway will be diverted onto Superior Street and northbound I-35 traffic will be diverted to Mesaba Avenue to follow marked detours. Starting at 6:15 a.m., London Road from 26th Avenue E to 60th Avenue E will close, Harbor Drive will close, Interstate 35 from Mesaba Avenue to 26th Avenue E will close, and 5th Avenue W between Michigan Street and the Aquarium will be reduced to one lane. At approximately 6:15 a.m., 60th Avenue E will close from Tioga Street to Superior Street, with traffic being diverted to 58th and 61st Avenues E, and DTA buses diverted to 58th Avenue 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.

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 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 W to Railroad Street.

Additional Closure Details and Detours:

Northbound I-35 will close from Mesaba Avenue to 26th Avenue E. Southbound I-35 will close from 26th Avenue E 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 E and 21st Avenue E. Entrance ramps onto northbound I-35 will close at 5th Avenue W, Lake Avenue, and from Michigan Street at 2nd Avenue E.

-EASTBOUND LOCAL STREETS AND NORTHBOUND I-35 DETOUR: Traffic will use Mesaba Avenue to 6th Avenue E, then proceed to 4th Street to 21st Avenue 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 21st Avenue E, proceed north on 21st Avenue E to 4th Street. Traffic will then travel west on 4th Street to 6th Avenue E, to Mesaba Avenue.

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

Additional Information on Business Access:

Ecumen Lakeshore Home: Vehicles will be able to enter or exit the Ecumen Lakeshore lot at 40th Avenue E., with the assistance of officers posted there when there are sufficient breaks between skaters.

Chateau Apartments at 3800 London Road: Chateau residents can exit onto London Road going west only, with assistance from the volunteer posted there. Vehicles will be directed up 36th Avenue E from London Road. Access to the Chateau will be from 40th Avenue E, with assistance from officers posted there. Drivers must use caution and remain alert to skaters on London Road.

Glensheen: Will be closed until 1p.m.

DECC: The DECC Lot will remain open during the Marathon, with access to and exit from Railroad Street only.  The DECC 5th Avenue W exit, the DECC 10-minute ticket lot, and the DECC East Gate will be closed. 

 Great Lakes Aquarium: The Great Lakes Aquarium will be accessible from Railroad Street and 5th Avenue W. Exit from the Aquarium Lot will be down the Connector road to Railroad Street only.

Canal Park: Canal Park will remain accessible from Lake Avenue or Railroad Street.

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