The Big Problem With The New Changes Made To Duluth’s Skyline Parkway

Last week, the City of Duluth implemented some pretty significant changes to a stretch of one of Duluth's most popular roads.

One of Skyline Parkways' most scenic and most-visited stretches of road was converted to a one-way flow of traffic in response to some fatal accidents and other safety concerns.

The stretch of road, which traces the hillside around Enger Tower, reopened as a one-way road late last week with the addition of a dedicated pedestrian lane, a pair of crosswalks across the road, and two parking areas. The two parking areas are in the same places as the two parking areas prior to the conversion.

When the project got underway, city officials said they would be looking for some feedback on the project after its completion. The project was completed as a "demonstration project", which is an inexpensive way for city crews to enact a change like this in a temporary manner that can be changed or reversed.

READ MORE: See the huge changes made to Duluth's Skyline Parkway

Based on feedback I've seen on social media, some changes might be on the way to this just-finished project.

What are people saying about the changes to Skyline Parkway?

There have been two main threads of conversation online from locals about the changes to Skyline near Enger Tower.

The first conversation thread is among people who agree that something needed to be done to improve safety on that stretch of road after two fatal accidents in 2024 in that area. It's really hard to argue with that. Some argue no changes were necessary at all, but most of the comments I've seen are in favor of something being done to improve safety.

The other conversation thread is where the change might come in.

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Besides some people complaining about the changes in general, just wanting it the way it used to be, the majority of complaints about this modification all point to something that could be easily fixed.

The direction of the one-way traffic is "wrong" according to most who have issues with the project. The flow of traffic heads "away from the lake", which means vehicle occupants have a nice view of the Duluth Hillside and West Duluth, but they don't have a view of Lake Superior or the Aerial Lift Bridge without looking through a mirror or turning their head around.

Some argue that yes, there are two spots to park to get out and enjoy the view, but that's not the point. They argue that the road should offer that iconic view of Lake Superior and the bridge while driving, which would require reversing the direction of the one-way.

City officials didn't specify why the decision was made to route traffic the way they did. I would imagine it was based on some safety factor that they may need to explain (if that was the reason). If not, a sizable and loud crowd of people has been sounding off online to see the direction changed.

When city officials hold their formal comment period on the project, I'd imagine that will be the resounding demand from Duluthians.

The good news is that changing some signs around should be all it would take to reverse the flow of traffic to meet that public demand.