Road construction has been slow in coming to Duluth's Lakeside neighborhood this year. But work on the Lakewalk extension will begin this week and the Glenwood Street reconstruction will begin in a couple of weeks.
Cari Pedersen, Duluth's chief engineer of transportation, said Glenwood will be closed to through traffic between 45th and 60th avenues east starting June 21. Traffic will be detoured onto Superior Street for the rest of the construction season. Next year, the western portion of Glenwood will be rebuilt.
The project has been slow out of the gates, thanks in part to a decision to redesign the road in the face of neighborhood opposition to plans widen it and incorporate bicycle lanes in both directions. After a couple of community meetings, a compromise design was adopted.
"I'm glad people in the neighborhood had the opportunity to communicate their desires," said City Councilor Todd Fedora, who represents Lakeside. "Frankly, if we have the option to do something quickly or right, I'd rather that we do it right."
Pedersen said that even after the city settled on a new design more in keeping with residents' wishes, the plans still had to be reviewed and approved by state and federal officials, because state and federal money will help pay for the improvements.
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As Lakeside braces for work to start on Glenwood, efforts to extend the Lakewalk from 47th to 60th avenues east are under way. Pedersen said she expects the project will last two to three months.
John Rackliffe, manager of the Lakeside Super One grocery store, said he's eager to see the path lengthened. The extension will pass right by the grocery store on the 5900 block of East Superior Street.
"Obviously, we hope it will bring new foot and bike traffic to our store," said Rackliffe, noting that it may encourage more people in the neighborhood to leave their cars at home when they need to make a quick grocery run.
Marcos Delgado, an employee of Sammy's Pizza, 4631 E. Superior St., said the restaurant already is reaping the benefits of the last Lakeside extension to 47th Avenue East.
"Every day, we look out our front window and see tons of people using the Lakewalk," Delgado said. "I think it's a great addition for the community and for businesses, too. We get people out for a walk who want to have a drink or a snack, and that's been good for places like Sammy's."
