My two response letters about the foolish plans made by the Duluth Waterfront Collective

The only way this plan will work is to first create a bypass for north and south traffic on Interstate 35.  Fortunately, there is a real world example of how that can be done.  The village of Vossevangen, Norway had traffic congestion on the European route E16 that is a main west-east road that runs through their village.  Instead of widening the E16 road in their village, taking out businesses and homes, a bypass tunnel with roundabouts on both ends was built instead.

I believe that a similar bypass tunnel, two lanes each way, from Duluth's Point of Rocks under Downtown Duluth, and exiting north of the Lakewalk Parking lot at Holiday Station could make your plan workable.  Also, make the intersections into two lane roundabouts instead of four-way stop intersections.

Without these additions on your plan, the stop and go traffic will increase travel times, idling engines will increase downtown carbon dioxide, drivers will take Superior Street to avoid the backup of traffic on the main highway, and result in the defeat of the real reason why Interstate 35 was built in Downtown Duluth to begin with.

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First, I’m wondering why the North Shore Scenic Railroad is not depicted in your illustrations?  This is the same track that could within a ten or twenty years also carry commuter trains from Duluth to Two Harbors and back.

Second, how will runners attending Grandma's Marathon go across Interstate 35 at a grade intersection crossing?  Have you talked to Grandma's Marathon management about this?

Third, while we need better pedestrian access to and from Canal Park, improving pedestrian access on the existing bridges is much better than the vanity project proposed here.

Lastly, practice defensive walking and never assume that a driver will stop for you, even if you have the green light.  Take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of others while walking and driving.