Video Shows New I-35, I-535 Connections Between Duluth, Superior

Early this week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that on Tuesday morning, it was opening the I-35 and I-535 connections through the Twin Ports Interchange project in Duluth.

It's certainly a great sign of progress in what has been a massive undertaking. MnDOT notes that the Twin Ports Interchange Project began in 2020 with the reconstruction of the 27th Avenue West bridge over I-35.

The following year, the newly combined culvert for Miller Creek and Coffee Creek was installed under I-35. I-535 was also closed in 2021 for reconstruction, and the reopening date was postponed one year due to findings of historical significance in the project area.

The $435 million project requires crews to work year-round as they reconstruct the I-35/I-535/Hwy 53 interchange.

I-35 & I-535 Connections Through The Twin Ports Interchange Are Open

Ahead of the opening, MnDot advised motorists that a one-lane bypass had been temporarily constructed at the I-535/Garfield Avenue interchange to facilitate the reopening of the I-535 connection between Wisconsin and Minnesota. They advised motorists to slow down and use caution at the bypass.

Also, motorists were told to be aware of merging traffic on I-35. Traffic from Wisconsin is now merging on both northbound and southbound.

On Tuesday, the bypasses did open as promised and on Wednesday, August 21, MnDOT shared a video to show everyone what the drive now looks like from all directions.

The Hwy 53 bridges are expected to be completed to 21st Avenue West this fall to access Lincoln Park. The Hwy 53 connections to I-35 and I-535 will be completed in the fall of 2025.

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The Twin Ports Interchange Project looks to improve safety by:

• Providing a new conventional design
• Relocating all exits and entrances to the right side of the roadway
• Improving merging sight distance and eliminating merge conflicts
• Eliminating weaving problems near the interchange
• Providing lane continuity for through I-35 traffic

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Construction is expected to be completed around the summer of 2026 when landscaping and clean-up are expected to begin.