Although it fluctuates from year to year, about $8 million – on average– of federal transportation assistance comes in to the Duluth area. Of that amount, approximately $6 million is allocated for MnDOT projects, and $2 million goes to county and city projects.
Each year several new transportation improvement projects are proposed by these jurisdictions, for four years in advance. This allows the time needed to do the planning and engineering work before they can be implemented.
This year, five projects are being proposed to utilize the $8 million in federal funding estimated to be available in year 2019. These projects and their estimated costs are listed below.
Because federal funding is public money, the public has the right for their comments to be recorded and reported on these projects. Look the projects over – do you have anything to say about them?
E 8th Street/E 9th Street – Pavement Preservation
A mill and overlay of the existing pavement on the 1.6 miles of E 8th Street/E 9th Street between 6th Avenue E and Woodland Avenue. Repairs to storm water, curb and gutter, and sidewalk will also be part of this project.
Jurisdiction: City of Duluth
Project Cost: $1,300,000 ($860,000 federal funds; $440,000 local funds)
Maple Grove Road – Pavement Preservation
A mill and overlay of 3.5 miles of Maple Grove Road from Midway Road to Westberg Road. The project will include intersection improvements at Midway Road and at LaVaque Road.
Jurisdiction: St. Louis County
Project Cost: $2,000,000 ($1,600,000 federal funds; $400,000 local funds)
McCuen Street (State Highway 39) – Pavement Preservation
Resurfacing of 1 mile of highway from State Highway 23 to the Oliver Bridge.
Jurisdiction: MnDOT District 1
Project Cost: $900,000 ($720,000 federal funds; $180,000 state funds)
Mesaba Ave, Bridge # 6544 – Bridge Repainting (Preservation)
Repainting of the understructure of the bridge over Superior Street in Downtown Duluth.
Jurisdiction: MnDOT District 1
Project Cost: $1,500,000 ($1,200,000 federal funds; $300,000 state funds)
Blatnik Bridge – Bridge Repainting (Preservation)
Repainting the superstructure of the I-535 bridge over St. Louis Bay. This project includes a cost-share with WisDOT.
Jurisdiction: MnDOT District 1
Project Cost: $8,260,000 ($3,717,000 federal funds; $413,000 MnDOT funds; $4,130,000 WisDOT funds)
You may have noticed that what these projects have in common is preservation of existing roads and bridges. This is a trend that will continue as transportation funding becomes more scarce. In our area (and throughout the state) we will be seeing very little new construction in the coming years.
More information about the Duluth Area TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) and the projects being proposed for 2019 can be found on the MIC’s website at www.dsmic.org.
Meanwhile, if you have any opinions about these proposed projects, we welcome your comments.