Popular Area Of Duluth’s Canal Park To Be Closed To The Public For Several Months

A construction project that starts in May and runs through much of the rest of the year will impact a popular spot for visitors and locals in Duluth's Canal Park.

The US Army Corps of Engineers just shared the details for a project that gets underway in early May of 2025, which will completely shut down a portion of the public space in Canal Park through the peak visitor season.

Here's what you need to know

What is the purpose of this Canal Park construction project?

The Duluth construction project announced by the US Army Corps of Engineers will construct a new shoreline protection system along a portion of the Canal Park shoreline.

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Locals and visitors will remember the Lakewalk rebuild and shoreline reinforcement project along much of Canal Park's shoreline a few years ago, prompted by a few seasons of severe weather battering the shoreline with powerful waves.

This new project will focus on a different part of other parts of the shoreline near the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, where a new shoreline protection system made up of a concrete tee-wall armored by a stone revetment will be installed to protect against weather effects and wave damage.

What areas of Canal Park will be impacted by this construction project?

The project will focus on the stretch of shoreline in front of the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, as noted in red on the map above.

Along with the shoreline reinforcement, the project will also provide upgrades to 200 feet of pedestrian walkway, connecting the City of Duluth's Lakewalk structure to Duluth Ship Canal North Pier.

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During the project, the Lakewalk will be open, as will the pier and the Maritime Visitor Center. Some spaces near the project (noted in pink) will see some limited pedestrian access during certain times of this project.

Included in that are the areas around the tugboat near the visitor center and the area of the Lakewalk structure near the project.

When does this construction project start? How long will it last?

The construction project will get underway during the first week of May and is expected to last into 2026, with a pause in work during the winter.

Work during 2025 is expected to last into November, with final elements of the project wrapping up in the spring months of 2026. This final phase of work in 2026 will include final landscaping and finishing touches before reopening the space to the public.

Work will be confined to the hours of 7 am through 6 pm Monday through Friday. Even when work is not going on, there will still be areas closed off to the public.

During this project, the pier, Maritime Visitor Center, nearby parking lot, and Lakewalk will all be accessible. In order to get from the Lakewalk to the pier, you'll have to walk near the visitor center, which might be a slightly longer route than some are used to.

The area will be marked with necessary construction signage to let the public know about accessible pedestrian routes and other important information.

The $3.15 million project contract was awarded to Northern Interstate Construction (NIC) of South Range, Wisconsin.