Can Of Worms Closures Cause Big Backups On Belknap Street In Superior

The infamous Can of Worms in Duluth's Lincoln Park is getting a huge makeover. It's been a project that's been going on for the last couple of years with preparations and then actual demolition this spring. Last week the next closures and reroutes took place which has led to some changes in traffic patterns.

One of those changes seems to have worked out decently. The I-35 southbound lanes have rerouted to use lower Michigan Street for two lanes of traffic. It feels bizarre as a driver to veer off the interstate into Michigan Street, but it has been pretty smooth for traffic flow.

The biggest problem now seems to be that most traffic has to use the Bong Bridge to get to Superior. On the other side of the bridge traffic is backing up pretty bad along Belknap Street. Today I was driving in the area of Belknap & Tower and was amazed at how far the cars were backed up at a relatively slow time of day. It was 2:30 PM and traffic was backed up all the way to the roundabout at the base of the Bong Bridge.

I was in the Keyport Lounge parking lot and looked up over the viaduct and there was a steady line of cars.

This has been causing some problems and backups further down Belknap as you get in the heart of Superior. While it's just an inconvenience at this point, it's going to be a long time before we get any relief. In fact with upcoming plans in coming years to replace the Blatnik Bridge this will probably just become a way of life.

Of course there is another way for now that you can get across the St. Louis River into Wisconsin. Garfield Avenue from Lincoln Park is still open. However, Superior Street is closed for several blocks in that area so there is even a detour to get to the detour.

Good luck.