Duluth’s 21st Avenue East Closing For Sewer Repair; Could Last Two Weeks

One of Duluth's busier arterial roadways will be closed temporarily for a storm sewer pipe repair project.  The City of Duluth is alerting drivers about a portion of 21st Avenue East closing, starting March 1.

The expected timeline for the work could see it stretching as long as two weeks from the start date.

According to details being shared by the City of Duluth, 21st Avenue East will be completely closed between East 3rd Street and East 4th Street.  The closure will affect traffic heading in all directions.

The closure is necessary because a recent routine inspection discovered the fact that there is a hole in a section of the storm sewer pipe that travels underneath the roadway in that area.  City road crews want to begin and complete the work prior to the start of the annual spring runoff season.

To expedite the excavation work, city road crews will first place heated blankets on the impacted area in advance of the work.  Their aim is to thaw the ground enough in that area that impact to nearby infrastructure is minimized as much as possible.

Drivers who utilize 21st Avenue East will encounter a signed detour.  The detour will take traffic out of the impacted area, diverting drivers on East 2nd Street and East 4th Street, and North 19th Avenue East.

Again, the anticipated timetable for completion of the work is roughly two weeks.  However, like any outdoor road construction project, that schedule could be affected by the weather or unforeseen obstacles that arise during the work.