Parking, Traffic Impacts For Grandma’s Marathon In Duluth Start Monday

One of the biggest weekends of the year in Duluth is coming up fast. This year will be especially big, as Grandma's Marathon celebrates 50 years this summer.

While the 5K is in the afternoon on Friday, June 19, and the half and full marathon events are in the morning on Saturday, June 20, there will be some lot closures and traffic impacts through the week in the Duluth area.

Here's what you need to know, day by day in the lead-up to this year's marathon weekend.

Monday, June 15

The first closure of the week will be that of the Northwest Iron Lot, which is the big lot between Canal Park Drive and Lake Avenue in Canal Park, situated between the DeWitt-Seitz building and Grandma's.

READ MORE: Schedule For Two Big Days Of Live Entertainment For Grandma's Marathon 'Rock The Bayfront' 

This lot will be completely closed on Monday for setup and equipment deliveries, with some limited parking available Tuesday through Thursday.

Tuesday, June 16

Good news - there are no new closures to be aware of. Just be aware that parking in the Northwest Iron Lot in Canal Park will be limited.

Wednesday, June 17

While there won't be a closure, there may be some traffic delays on Canal Park Drive just south of Buchanan Street in Canal Park while a temporary pedestrian bridge is installed for the weekend's events. This work is expected between 9 am and 4 pm on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Also on Wednesday, the Lake City Lot will be closed for the rest of the week to parking for race setup. This is the lot between The Inn on Superior and Lift Bridge Lodge on Canal Park Drive.

Thursday, June 18

Nothing new in the way of closures or impacts for Thursday. Just a continuation of the pedestrian bridge project and the ongoing closure of the Lake City Lot.

In addition, you're likely to see a lot more foot traffic in Canal Park as the Essentia Health Fitness Expo and race packet pickup get underway on Thursday.

Friday, June 19

Friday is when things start getting busy in terms of closures and traffic impacts.

The Lighthouse Lot will close on Friday, remaining closed through late Saturday. This is the lot near the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and North Pier near the Lake Superior shoreline in Canal Park.

William A. Irvin 5K

This race happens on Friday afternoon. Portions of Railroad Street will close for the race starting at 12:30 pm for the 1 pm race. There will be temporary no parking signs along Railroad Street, Lake Place Drive, and Harbor Drive, enforced with ticketing and towing.

Traffic delays are expected for up to 2 hours as Railroad Street closes from Lake Avenue to 5th Avenue West during the race.

Southbound traffic on 5th Avenue West will be able to access the DECC parking lot via Railroad Street throughout the race. Harbor Drive behind the DECC will be closed to all traffic due to construction and can only be used by race participants.

Get our free mobile app

The Duluth Police Department says the aquarium parking lot will not be accessible from 12:30 p.m. until approximately 3:00 pm, and traffic looking to access Pier B Resort or the Bayfront Park parking lots will only be able to do so from the west between 12:30 and 3:00 pm.

Most traffic should get back to normal by around 3:30 pm. Getting in and out of the DECC will be impacted during the day on Friday as follows:

Getting to & from the DECC during the 5K

Getting to the DECC during the race can be done through the North Gate (on Railroad Street) during the entire race, or through the East Gate on Harbor Drive only until 12:15 pm.

Leaving the DECC during the race, you'll be able to use the North Gate (on Railroad Street) and West Gate from noon until 7:30 pm, in addition to the Parking Ramp Exit on Railroad Street. After 12:30 pm, traffic will also be able to exit the DECC from the East Gate to 5th Avenue West.

Other traffic impacts on Friday

At 6 pm on Friday, Canal Park Drive from Railroad Street to Buchanan Street will be closed to most traffic as the finish line is set up for Saturday's half and full marathon.

Guests staying at the hotels will be the only ones to have limited access after 6 pm on Friday.

Traffic accessing locations South of Buchanan Street should use South Lake Avenue to Buchanan, not Canal Park Drive.

Canal Park Drive will remain closed to vehicle traffic until late Saturday after the half and full marathon are done.

Saturday, June 20

This is the big day, with lots of road closures and traffic impacts during the half and full marathon.

Here's a rundown of the road closures:

- Scenic Highway 61 between McQuade Road and Ryan Road will close at 3:45 am for half marathon start set-up.

- The rest of Scenic Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors will be closed to traffic starting at 4:15 am.

- On the Highway 61 Expressway between Duluth and Two Harbors, drivers will be asked to slow down with special signage and lane closures starting at 4:15 am.

- All access roads between MN-61 Expressway and Scenic Hwy 61, which include Isackson Road, Salakka Road, Central Avenue, Alseth Road, Lakewood Road, Homestead Road, Ryan Road, and McQuade Road, will all close at 4:15 am for the races.

- Harbor Drive, from the East Gate of the DECC to the Aquarium, will be closed and will only be open for race events.

- Most avenues leading to London Road will close starting at 4:30 am.

Numerous road closures start at 5:30 am with a few earlier closures. The following roads will be closed to traffic starting at 5:30 am (unless otherwise noted below) and will remain closed until the end of the marathon:

- Southbound lanes of I-35 from 21st and 26th Avenues East will close at 4:30 am

- Northbound traffic on I-35 will be diverted up Mesaba Avenue to 2nd Street at 5:30 am

- All of London Road

- Superior Street from 12th Avenue East to 5th Avenue West

- Michigan Street from 4th Avenue East to 5th Avenue West

- Commerce Street/Railroad Street, Lake Place Drive, and Canal Park Drive

-The northbound lanes of I-35 will close at 5:30 a.m. from Mesaba Avenue to 26th Avenue East. A detour will guide vehicles to 2nd Street to continue east.

- Westbound traffic on 1st Street will not be able to access Mesaba Avenue and will instead be diverted to Superior Street and I-35 at 6th Avenue West at 5:30 am

- Interstate 35 and most other roadways closed for the marathon will reopen by approximately 3:30 pm on Saturday afternoon

Detours and closures will be marked, but if you want to see specific detour routes, the Duluth Police Department has them laid out here.

Some DTA bus routes will also be impacted during the day on Saturday. The DTA website will provide updates and alternative options if necessary.

We'll have a photo gallery from the finish line and on the race course on race day for this year's half and full marathon, but while we wait for this year's events, here's a look at last year's: