Duluth Approves $2.7 Million for Controversial Roundabouts

UPDATE: Duluth has officially approved funding for two contentious roundabouts on London Road, committing $2.7 million from its capital projects account. This decision comes as the city prepares for a major reconstruction of London Road over the next few years, with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) covering the bulk of the costs.

The roundabouts will be constructed at the intersections of 26th Avenue East and 40th Avenue East. In addition to the roundabouts, Duluth will finance crosswalk flasher systems near 32nd Avenue East and 60th Avenue East, as well as expenses related to rail crossings and utility improvements.

The urgency of this project was underscored during a recent city council meeting. 1st District City Councilor Wendy Durrwachter voiced her concerns about public opposition to roundabouts. “There’s a lot of public pushback on roundabouts, and here we are spending $2.7 million on something many people don’t want,” she stated. Durrwachter, who personally supports roundabouts, questioned whether the city could reconsider the design in light of budget constraints for next year.

City Administrator Matt Staehling confirmed that the project is well underway, stating, “This project has been years and months in the making,” and emphasized the need for council approval to proceed. The final design has already been approved, and bids for construction are set to be opened on December 3, 2023.

MnDOT Project Manager Tom Lamb warned that any delays could jeopardize the entire project. “For the project to move forward, we need to have the city’s approval of the cooperative agreement prior to the letting of bids,” he explained. The city had previously granted consent for the roundabout design in November 2023, moving the project closer to realization.

The current plan has already scaled back from three proposed roundabouts after pushback from local residents regarding a third roundabout at 60th Avenue East. The two-year construction project is expected to commence next year, marking a significant step in reconfiguring one of Duluth’s key thoroughfares.

As Duluth moves closer to implementing these changes, residents and stakeholders are urged to stay informed about further developments. Public sentiment remains mixed, and the discussion around the effectiveness and necessity of these roundabouts is likely to continue as the project progresses.