Minnesota Will Close Interstate 35 in Duluth Overnight
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will close a section of I-35 for bridge work on Wednesday night.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to close a segment of Interstate 35 in Duluth on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. This closure is necessary for crews to perform overhead work on a pedestrian bridge located just south of Mesaba Avenue.
Why it matters
The overnight closure is required to ensure public safety while workers complete necessary maintenance on the pedestrian bridge. The project aims to improve infrastructure connectivity and is part of a larger schedule expected to wrap up by the end of October.
The highway closure will begin at 10 p.m. on Wednesday and continue through 5 a.m. on Thursday. The duration covers a seven-hour window required to conduct the overhead construction work safely.
The players
Minnesota Department of Transportation
This state agency is responsible for the planning, design, and maintenance of Minnesota's extensive transportation infrastructure including highways and pedestrian bridges.
The details
During the closure, traffic will be diverted through a specified detour route involving I-535, Garfield Avenue, Railroad Street, and Fifth Avenue West. Motorists are advised to follow these alternate paths to bypass the construction area south of Mesaba Avenue.
Timeline
The closure starts at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The highway will reopen at 5 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
The pedestrian bridge project is expected to reach completion by the end of October 2026.
Market Landscape
This project follows standard safety inspection and maintenance mandates set by federal oversight to ensure aging infrastructure remains viable for public use. Such efforts are part of a broader statewide initiative to modernize traffic flow and pedestrian access in growing urban corridors.
Commuters traveling through the area on Wednesday night should plan for extra travel time to account for the mandatory detour route. Residents and local businesses should anticipate the highway reopening to normal traffic flow by early Thursday morning.
The takeaway
Drivers should prepare for potential delays along the detour route during the overnight hours. Always check local transit alerts before late-night travel to stay updated on ongoing infrastructure work.
Further reading
For more information on local infrastructure updates, visit the Duluth Openings & Closings section.
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