Hwy 61 Closed Duluth - Two Harbors

[Mr Ranger]

I am checking to see if anyone has a reliable source for road closing in Duluth. Current report is that Hwy 61 is closed from Duluth to Two Harbors due to floods. We are headed up on Friday to Thunder Bay and then Nipigon and from what I am reading no one can get up to Canada or back until it reopens. Any status of the road would be appreciated. Thanks

[Sidge61]

From what I heard it is scenic hwy. 61 that is closed at Knife River, not the main hwy 61 that runs to Two Harbors.

[Sidge61]

As of 6:15 a.m., Highways 2/53 at the Nemadji River in Superior reportedly were open, but with water on the road and some lane restrictions.
Highway 33 closed at White Pine River north of Cloquet
Highway 61 Expressway closed at Knife River with detour in place; Scenic 61 reportedly is open to Two Harbors.
Highway 61 open at Silver Creek Tunnel, with shoulder damage
Highway 53 is now open past the Miller Hill Mall.
Highway 2 open from Proctor west.
Highway 23 closed at Fond du Lac
Highway 210 closed through Jay Cooke State Park
Highway 210 closed east of McGregor
Highway 65 closed south of McGregor
Highway 73 closed west of Moose Lake
Highway 73 and County 61 closed at Moose Lake

[phishfearme]

sidge - thanks for the highway info - is there a site from which this is updated periodically?

phish

[worthsr]

I found this information on the MN DOT website

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/

Flooding in Duluth—(last updated 7:30 a.m., 6-21-12) Take care driving in and around Duluth. Flooding is making many roads hazardous. The following highways are closed:
I-35 between Carlton and Mahtowa
Hwy 2 from Floodwood to Brookston

Hwy 2 from I-35 to Boundary Avenue in Proctor

Hwy 2 from the Iron Horse Bar and Grill to the golf course


Hwy 23 south of Duluth

Hwy 23 in Fond Du Lac

Hwy 33 near Independence
Hwy 33 from White Pine River to North of Cloquet
Hwy 61 at Knife River

Hwy 65 south of McGregor
Hwy 73 west of Moose Lake
Hwy 200 between Hwy 2 and Hwy 65
Hwy 210 completely closed through Jay Cooke State Park

Hwy 210 four miles east of McGregor
More information will come as we get it.

[smbrickner]

I am leaving Midnight Friday after I swing through and pick up my Brother in Eau Claire. Wonder if I will be better off heading north from the cities? Instead of Duluth? Or do I just trust that there will be a detour?

[81Saluki]

I was just looking into this issue as I will be heading up mid next week. You can get a MN DOT map showing closures, etc. at the link below:

http://hb.511mn.org/main.jsf

I've already started planning an alternate, more "scenic" route from the Twin Cities to I-Falls (takes me past Mille Lacs Lake, through Grand Rapids, then on to I-Falls from the west).

81Saluki

[jiggster]

I called and talked to the state office. I asked if I could go thru Grand Rapids up to International Falls, they said NO. I talked with the Brainerd office, I found the only way for sure to International Falls from the cities is up 10 to 371 thru Walker, Bemidji and up 71.

[UKBDM]

We are headed north in the AM from Indy.

Looks like 169 runs from the Twin Cities to Grand Rapids and then over to Virginia. No closures as far as I can tell.

Anybody have any local knowledge about this route? Bad idea?

[81Saluki]

Originally Posted by jiggster

I called and talked to the state office. I asked if I could go thru Grand Rapids up to International Falls, they said NO. I talked with the Brainerd office, I found the only way for sure to International Falls from the cities is up 10 to 371 thru Walker, Bemidji and up 71.

Thanks Jiggster for the info! Their DOT map shows one stretch on Hwy 169 south of GR is "difficult ... look out for flooding" ... which I took to mean that flooding hasn't actually been reported yet. I'll keep an eye on things to see if anything changes and plan accordingly.

At least I've got a few more days for the water to go down compared to anyone heading up (or coming home) this weekend.

81Saluki