Two New Roundabouts Announced For Busy Duluth Road

Love them or hate them, they're here to stay in the Northland. Another set of roundabouts - two specifically - have been announced as part of the plans to reconstruct a busy Duluth roadway.

The St. Louis County HIghway Department has announced plans for a reconstruction project along Rice Lake Road - between Ridgeview Road to a half-mile north of Martin Road. Along with a variety of safety improvements and design elements, two roundabouts are included as part of the plans.

Initial project plans for the Rice Lake work show the location of each of the roundabouts. The first would be installed at the intersection of Rice Lake Road and Calvary Road; the second would be put in place at Rice Lake Road and Martin Road. Each of the roundabouts would serve to improve traffic flow and bring safety considerations to these busy intersections.

What's unique for these proposed roundabouts - at least for the Northland - is the fact that they'll be "stacked" so close to each other; the roundabouts will essentially exist at the two consecutive intersections along Rice Lake Road.

At this point, the project isn't funded - at least according to the St. Louis County website. But with Rice Lake Road being such a vital arterial route, it's certain to be on the top of the list of expected road construction projects for the county. For the time being, "[t]he design, permitting, and right of way acquisition would occur from 2022 to 2025", which means that St. Louis County is in the process of taking the early steps needed to make sure that the pieces come together when they can.

A reconstructed Rice Lake Road is something that has been deemed a necessity - at least when looking at the way that the neighborhood in the project area has been developed:

"Engineers have been studying this section oof roadway for several years, noting the concentration of new and planned development, the expected growth in the city and corresponding traffic volumes, and safety and delay concerns at several intersections. Working with the City of Rice Lake, they have developed recommendations to improve traffic operations and safety while preserving the function of RIce Lake Road. The goal is to create a commercial corridor that invites development while also managing access, and that incorporates accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists."

In advance of any ground work, St. Louis County has arranged a variety of public meetings to communicate plans with the public and solicit input and feedback. The next of those meetings is set to happen on Tuesday, September 27 at 6:00 PM at Rice Lake Town Hall: 4107 Beyer Road.

How To Get Your Lawn Ready For Fall

You keep up with it all summer long; the watering, the seeding, fertilizing, mowing, raking - it seems like a never ending chore that's thankless at its core. Maybe that's why at the first sign of colored leaves on the trees and falling temperatures, many quickly give up the task of lawn care.

And who could blame those who abandon lawn care right after Labor Day and the start of school; cutting the grass isn't really fun to begin with and those extra steps needed to ensure a green and lush lawn (fertilizer, thatching) are just more work than many care to put in.

But totally ignoring your lawn during the fall isn't the best choice of action - especially if you want a nice looking one come spring.

Thankfully, fall lawn care isn't all that much different from what you've been doing all summer long. Here are some good tips to get your lawn ready for to hibernate during winter and press back into shape once springtime rolls around.

Signs That Summer Is Over In The Minnesota + Wisconsin

Just as fast as it arrives - it's over. But what defines its end point?

People who live in the Midwest have come to fully-appreciate and embrace the four seasons. Spring, summer, fall, winter - each have their highlights. That's why we're always so sad to see each one end. Or are we?

Forget the calendar. Here are the true signs that the summer season is over for folks who live in Minnesota and Wisconsin.