One of the projects on the docket for this summer has started a little early - due to the COVID-19 Pandemic response. Officials with St. Louis County have announced that the Rice Lake Road reconstruction has kicked off already as of May 4.  Drivers will notice that temporary signal lights have been installed on site.  The early closure of schools has allowed the county to accelerate the project.

All told, work crews will reconstruct about a half-mile of Rice Lake Road, widen the intersection at Arlington Avenue and Arrowhead Road, and make some improvements to Technology Drive.

No road closures are scheduled for the early parts of the road project.  For the first couple of weeks, drivers will be able to navigate through the area - but - they're urged to do so cautiously.

By the middle of May, the work will necessitate closures.  Sometime around May 18, Rice Lake Road will be closed between Technology Drive and Arrowhead Road.  This closure is expected to last until sometime in September.  In order to facilitate traffic, a signed detour will be in place.  Essentially - drivers needing access to Technology Drive should enter from the north.

The Rice Lake Road reconstruction is a joint project between the City of Duluth and St. Louis County.  The original timeline had it starting sometime in June after school was out; however, the early closure of school due to COVID-19 has allowed project managers the chance to move that timeline a little earlier - resulting in an (a potential) early finish. St. Louis County is responsible for the work on Rice Lake Road and the intersection at Arlington Avenue; this work involves new traffic signals, widening Rice Lake Road to accommodate additional turn lanes, and adding new curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.  Meanwhile the city will widen Technology Drive and add a sidewalk along the north side of Arrowhead Road.

LIVE UPDATES: Coronavirus in Duluth, MN

10 Places In The Twin Ports Everyone Is Looking Forward To Going To When COVID-19 Passes

 

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

 

 

More From B105