Hwy 194/Central Entrance — Corridor Study and Construction

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We plan to reconstruct Central Entrance/Hwy 194 from Trinity Road to Mesaba Avenue in Duluth. View full-size mapThe final project will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety throughout the corridor. Agencies, businesses and the general public will have many opportunities to engage on this project throughout the various stages.

  • County: St. Louis
  • Cost: TBD
  • Year: Estimated 2031 - 2033
  • Improvements:
    • Pedestrian safety
    • Improve traffic flow
    • Business access

We plan to reconstruct Central Entrance/Hwy 194 from Trinity Road to Mesaba Avenue in Duluth. View full-size mapThe final project will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety throughout the corridor. Agencies, businesses and the general public will have many opportunities to engage on this project throughout the various stages.

  • County: St. Louis
  • Cost: TBD
  • Year: Estimated 2031 - 2033
  • Improvements:
    • Pedestrian safety
    • Improve traffic flow
    • Business access

  • Public meeting

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    Dec. 20, 2024: Hosted a virtual public meeting to introduce the Central Entrance project in Duluth. For those unable to attend, please view the recording here.

    Nov. 3, 2022: Hosted a community kick-off event from 4-6 p.m. at the MnDOT headquarters, 1123 Mesaba Ave., Duluth. Learn more about the project, give feedback, meet project staff and enjoy light fall refreshments.

  • Corridor vision study

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    The Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council worked with consultants to provide a transportation study of the corridor. Central Entrance was divided into five zones that roughly align with the surrounding land uses and roadway context. The five zones used in the plan were

    • Zone 1: Trinity Road to Anderson Road
    • Zone 2: Anderson Road to Basswood Avenue
    • Zone 3: Basswood Avenue to Arlington Avenue (County State Aid Highway [CSAH] 90)
    • Zone 4: Arlington Avenue (CSAH 90) to Blackman Avenue
    • Zone 5: Blackman Avenue to Mesaba Avenue (CSAH 4)

  • Existing conditions

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    Central Entrance is a main roadway that historically serves automobile traffic. The corridor has poor pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and bus stops that lack adequate accessibility and amenities. It also has multiple driveway accesses that create conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. Combining these challenges with high vehicle speeds creates an unsafe place to walk or bike. It also discourages development and redevelopment along the corridor.

    Central Entrance plays an important role in Duluth’s roadway network. It is one of the few direct routes connecting Duluth’s Miller Hill area to downtown Duluth and neighborhoods along Lake Superior. Because of its role in the roadway network, Central Entrance is important for all modes of transportation.

  • Corridor vision

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    We developed a set of guiding values to describe our vision for the future of Central Entrance:

    Safe & equitable multimodal transportation system: Central Entrance will be a safe, accessible and comfortable street for all people. Walking, biking and transit will be viable and an easy choice while moving people and goods in cars, trucks and buses safely and efficiently.

    Healthy, walkable community: Central Entrance will support multimodal travel year-round.

    Thriving local business community: Central Entrance will meet the needs of new and existing businesses by providing reasonable access and creating opportunities for new types of development and redevelopment.

    Sustainable and resilient corridor: Central Entrance improvements will address long-term infrastructure needs and create opportunities for green infrastructure.

    A vibrant gateway to Duluth: Central Entrance is an attractive corridor that welcomes visitors and residents to the City of Duluth and the Central Entrance business district.

  • Corridor study report

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    MnDOT completed a Corridor Study for the project area. This study provides a deep technical foundation for MnDOT’s upcoming environmental scoping process and advances multiple concepts into the next phase during which MnDOT will continue working with the public and local partners to shape the corridor’s future. This study documents existing and future conditions, defines a draft purpose and need, and evaluates a variety of corridor concepts in more technical detail beyond what was completed for the vision plan.

    Corridor Study Executive Summary (PDF)

    Corridor Study Report (PDF)

    Corridor Study Report Appendices (PDF)

Page last updated: 07 Nov 2025, 11:01 AM