Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that it would open the I-35 and I-535 connections through the Twin Ports Interchange project in Duluth on Tuesday morning.
This is certainly a great sign of progress on this massive undertaking. MnDOT points out 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 new combined Miller Creek and Coffee Creek culvert was installed under I-35. I-535 was also closed for reconstruction in 2021, and the reopening date was postponed by a year due to historically significant discoveries in the project area.
The $435 million project requires year-round work to redesign the I-35/I-535/Highway 53 interchange.
The I-35 and I-535 connections via the Twin Ports Interchange are open
Prior to the opening, MnDot advised motorists that a temporary one-lane bypass had been constructed at the I-535/Garfield Avenue intersection to facilitate the reopening of the I-535 link between Wisconsin and Minnesota. They advised motorists to slow down and use caution on the bypass.
Additionally, drivers were advised to pay attention to traffic on I-35. Traffic from Wisconsin is now merged both northbound and southbound.
On Tuesday, the bypass roads were opened as promised, and on Wednesday, August 21, MnDOT released a video to show everyone what the access now looks like from all directions.
The Highway 53 bridges to 21st Avenue West are scheduled to be completed this fall and will reach Lincoln Park. Highway 53’s connections to I-35 and I-535 will be completed in fall 2025.
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The Twin Ports Interchange Project aims to improve security through the following measures:
- Providing a new conventional design
- Relocation of all entrances and exits to the right side of the road
- Improved visibility when merging and eliminated merge conflicts
- Elimination of weaver problems near the motorway junction
- Ensuring lane continuity for traffic on I-35
Construction is expected to be completed around summer 2026, after which landscaping and cleanup work will begin.
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