Creating a transportation network that makes it easy, safe, and comfortable to walk in the Twin Ports area

Walking is an essential part of our transportation system. The goal of this plan is to make it easy, safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities to walk to daily destinations.

The Pedestrian Plan is a long-range vision for the future of pedestrian activity in the Duluth-Superior area. It is meant to identify the barriers to pedestrian activity, recommend solutions to those issues, and create a framework for future action to improve the walking environment throughout the Duluth-Superior area.

“Walking” in this plan includes people traveling on foot as well as those who use assistive devices such as walkers, strollers and wheelchairs.

Final Pedestrian Plan Approval

The final Pedestrian Plan was presented for review and approval at the August, 2021 TAC and MIC meetings.

Based on the series of public engagement sessions and the comments received on the Draft Plan, a number of changes from the draft version have been made. A larger emphasis has been placed on system-level guidance and priorities; recommendations from jurisdictional plans including the Superior Active Transportation Plan and the Imagine Duluth Comprehensive Plan were removed from this plan’s list of recommendations and instead summarized in the Planning Support chapter.

Open House #6 - Prioritizing Walking in the Twin Ports

Ped Plan – Open House #6
Date & Time
05/12/2021
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location
Purpose

You are invited to participate in the second of two public Open Houses during Spring 2021 Bus Bike Walk Month to discuss the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan.

The Pedestrian Plan is a long-range vision for the future of pedestrian activity in the Duluth-Superior area. It is meant to identify the barriers to pedestrian activity, recommend solutions to those issues, and create a framework for future action to improve the ease and safety of walking in the Duluth-Superior area.

  • Microsoft Teams meeting

Open House #5 - Prioritizing Walking in the Twin Ports

Ped Plan – Open House #5
Date & Time
05/12/2021
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location
Purpose

You are invited to participate in the first of two public Open Houses during Spring 2021 Bus Bike Walk Month to discuss the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan.

The Pedestrian Plan is a long-range vision for the future of pedestrian activity in the Duluth-Superior area. It is meant to identify the barriers to pedestrian activity, recommend solutions to those issues, and create a framework for future action to improve the ease and safety of walking in the Duluth-Superior area.

  • Microsoft Teams meeting
    • Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
    • Or call in (audio only): +1 218-302-4275  Phone Conference ID: 600 100 011#

Draft Plan Released for Public Review and Comment

The Draft Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan provides guidance, recommendations, and a map of priority pedestrian areas. This plan provides guidance to decision-makers on where transportation investments in the MPO area should be focused to best improve the pedestrian environment. The draft plan has developed a tier system of priority where walkways are needed, where key gaps should be filled, and where it is critical that the pedestrian walkways are available and reliably clear and free of obstructions for everyday use.

Direct comments about the Draft document to James Gittemeier (contact info at right)

Open House #4 - Winter Safety and Accessibility

Ped Plan Open House #4 - Winter Bike Week
Date & Time
02/04/2021
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location
Purpose

Walking plays an essential part of the Duluth-Superior region’s transportation. Wherever people are going, and whether or not they’re using wheelchairs, strollers, or other devices, Twin Ports residents want and need safe places to walk.

The draft Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan will guide investments to improve places for people walking along and across the Twin Ports. It will help prioritize safe and convenient spaces for people to walk along and across area roadways making walking more desirable and accessible.

5 p.m. meeting: Join on your computer or mobile app by clicking here. Or call in (audio only) at +1 218-302-4275. Phone Conference ID: 391 627 973# Find a local number | Reset PIN | Learn More | Meeting options

Sponsored by Zeitgeist Winter Bike Week 2021

Open House #3 - Winter Safety and Accessibility

Ped Plan Open House #3 - Winter Bike Week
Date & Time
02/04/2021
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location
Purpose

Walking plays an essential part of the Duluth-Superior region’s transportation. Wherever people are going, and whether or not they’re using wheelchairs, strollers, or other devices, Twin Ports residents want and need safe places to walk.

The draft Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan will guide investments to improve places for people walking along and across the Twin Ports. It will help prioritize safe and convenient spaces for people to walk along and across area roadways making walking more desirable and accessible.

Noon meeting: Join on your computer or mobile app by clicking here. Or call in (audio only) at +1 218-302-4275. Phone Conference ID: 576 032 835# Find a local number | Reset PIN | Learn More | Meeting options

Sponsored by Zeitgeist Winter Bike Week 2021

Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #8
Date & Time
07/17/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 729 041 833#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #7
Date & Time
07/17/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 729 041 833#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Open House # 2 - Pedestrian Accessibility

Ped Plan – Bus Bike Walk Month Open House #2
Date & Time
10/15/2020
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location
Purpose

You are invited to participate in the second of two public Open Houses during Fall Bus Bike Walk Month to discuss the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan.

The Pedestrian Plan is a long-range vision for the future of pedestrian activity in the Duluth-Superior area. It is meant to identify the barriers to pedestrian activity, recommend solutions to those issues, and create a framework for future action to improve the ease and safety of walking in the Duluth-Superior area.

This presentation will focus on accessibility concerns for pedestrians and how the Pedestrian Plan addresses them:

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

+1 218-302-4275   United States, Duluth (Toll)

Conference ID: 351 659 758#

Open House # 1- Pedestrian Safety

Ped Plan – Bus Bike Walk Month Open House #1
Date & Time
10/08/2020
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location
Purpose

You are invited to participate in the first of two public Open Houses during Fall Bus Bike Walk Month to discuss the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan.

The Pedestrian Plan is a long-range vision for the future of pedestrian activity in the Duluth-Superior area. It is meant to identify the barriers to pedestrian activity, recommend solutions to those issues, and create a framework for future action to improve the ease and safety of walking in the Duluth-Superior area.

This presentation will focus on the known safety concerns for pedestrians and how the Pedestrian Plan addresses them.

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

+1 218-302-4275   United States, Duluth (Toll)

Conference ID: 752 082 62#

Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #6
Date & Time
07/17/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 729 041 833#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #5
Date & Time
07/17/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 729 041 833#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Pedestrian Plan Public Survey Now Open!

The Pedestrian Plan Public Survey is now open through August 7.  

Your input will help us to:

● Identify the issues and barriers to walking as transportation

● Recommend a range of solutions to improve walkability

We hope that you will take the survey, and forward the link to others: www.surveymonkey.com/r/DSPedPlan 

Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #4
Date & Time
07/17/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 694 100 933#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #3
Date & Time
06/19/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 803 893 163#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #3
Date & Time
06/19/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 803 893 163#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Meeting #2
Date & Time
05/15/2020
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to join Microsoft Teams meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 427 227 207#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

Advisory Committee Meeting

PPAC Kickoff Meeting
Date & Time
04/17/2020
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location
Purpose

For the protection of the community, all MIC meetings will be held online and by telephone during the current Minnesota COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Click to Join Microsoft Teams Meeting online
Or call to participate by phone: +1 218-302-4275
Conference ID: 914 092 394#

Public access and public comment opportunities will be provided as permitted for local government meetings, allowing the use of communications media technology, such as telephone and video conferencing.

Meeting materials can be viewed below.

(Due to technical difficulties with teleconferencing system, the kickoff meeting for this plan was rescheduled from March 25, 2020).

Public Engagement Plan

The Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Pedestrian Plan will create a framework for action to ensure that walking is a safe, convenient and desirable transportation option for people of all ages and abilities throughout the Twin Ports. The Public Engagement Plan will serve as a guide for its development.

Community engagement will be a core aspect in (a) identifying issues and barriers that exist for walking as transportation and (b) developing a range of policy recommendations and investment strategies to improve the pedestrian environment.

NOTE: As input is gained into this Plan from the Advisory Committee (PPAC) and stakeholders, and as the COVID19 guidelines for social distancing evolve over the coming months, other strategies may be added to address a given community, neighborhood and/or cultural group.

What is the purpose of this Plan?
This plan will create a framework for action to ensure that walking is a safe, convenient and desirable transportation option for people of all ages and abilities throughout the Twin Ports. With advisory committee and community input, it will:
● Identify the issues and barriers that exist for walking as transportation.
● Recommend a range of solutions including policies, implementation guides and investment strategies to improve the pedestrian environment.

Why is this Plan needed?
● To support jurisdictions in making decisions that will encourage walking.
● To provide a guide that includes best-practice solutions and locally-developed recommendations.
● The MIC plans for all the ways that people and goods are transported around the Twin Ports. Part of our work is making our area a better place for people to walk.

When & How will this Plan be Developed?
A 10-month planning process, from February to November 2020, will include 6 advisory committee meetings, 2 public meetings, and a series of public engagement activities.

Related Plans and Studies

Lake Ave Bridge project
MnDOT Pedestrian System Plan
Minnesota Walks: Statewide Pedestrian Plan
MnDOT ADA Transition Plan
Superior Active Transportation Plan

Ped-Plan-Final_08-03-21.pdf

Ped Plan cover

OR view chapters individually, below:

Chapter 1: Introduction

Ped-Plan-Chapter-1-Introduction.pdf

Chapter 2 – Priority Areas

Ped-Plan-Chapter-2-Priority-Areas-v.2.pdf

Chapter 3 – Implementation

Ped-Plan-Chapter-3-Implementation.pdf

Chapter 4: Planning Support

Ped-Plan-Chapter-4-Planning-Support.pdf