Grandma's highly anticipated 2021 Marathon is almost upon us and the Minnesota Department of Transportation is warning drivers to expect some delays. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, there will be an Interstate 35 and Highway 61 detour in place in Duluth on Saturday to accommodate the marathon.

This is because the traditional detour route through downtown is under construction this year.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation said adjustments to the detour required to avoid the construction are going to result in longer delays than normal.

They recommend people plan ahead and consider alternate routes or using navigation apps to avoid delays associated with Grandma’s Marathon.

Here are some traffic advisories from Grandma's Marathon that runners, visitors and residents should be aware of this weekend.

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES – FRIDAY, JUNE 18

• Canal Park Drive will close to most traffic at 6:00 a.m. from Railroad Street to Buchanan Street and will remain closed until after the race on Saturday, June 19. Hotel guests will be able to access their place of lodging throughout the day Friday.
• Prior to the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday, June 18, Harbor Drive around the DECC will close to traffic at 5:00 p.m.
• Railroad Street will partially close to traffic at 5:30 p.m. between Pier B and Lake Avenue. 
• Motorists will be able to access the DECC parking lot using the North Gate (on Railroad Street) or the East Gate (on Harbor Drive) throughout the entire event. All outbound traffic from the DECC will be directed to the West Gate (on 5th Avenue West) from 5:00 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m.
• The Great Lakes Aquarium parking lot will close to traffic at 5:45 p.m. and reopen at approximately 7:30 p.m.
• Traffic on Harbor Drive and Railroad Street should return to normal by approximately 7:30 p.m.

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES – SATURDAY, JUNE 19

• Scenic Highway 61 will close at 3:45 a.m. between McQuade Road and Ryan Road. The remainder of Scenic Highway 61 will close at 4:15 a.m.
• The following roads will close to traffic at 4:15 a.m. – Homestead, Lakewood, McQuade, and Ryan roads between Scenic Highway 61 and the Highway 61 Expressway
• Avenues leading to London Road in Duluth will close to traffic at 4:30 a.m.
• The southbound lanes of Interstate-35 between 21st Avenue East and 26th Avenue East will close to traffic at 4:30 a.m.
• Harbor Drive between the DECC East Gate and the Great Lakes Aquarium will be restricted to official race shuttle buses starting at 4:30 a.m. Harbor Drive will close to all traffic at 5:30 a.m.

The following roads will close to traffic at 5:30 a.m.

• All of London Road
• Superior Street between 12th Avenue East and 3rd Avenue East
• Michigan Street east of 5th Avenue West
• Commerce Street / Railroad Street, Lake Place Drive, and Canal Park Drive

Starting at 5:30 a.m., northbound traffic on Interstate-35 will be diverted up Mesaba Avenue and should use the following detour instructions:

• From Mesaba Avenue, turn right onto 2nd Street
• Continue on 2nd Street and turn left onto 3rd Avenue East
• Continue up the hill on 3rd Avenue East and turn right onto 4th Street
• Continue on 4th Street and turn right onto 10th Avenue East
• Continue down the hill on 10th Avenue East and turn left onto 2nd Street
• Continue on 2nd Street and turn right onto 21st Avenue East
• Continue down the hill on 21st Avenue East and turn left on Superior Street
• Continue on Superior Street to the Highway 61 Expressway

Starting at 5:30 a.m., southbound traffic from the Highway 61 Expressway will be diverted onto Superior Street

• From the Highway 61 Expressway, turn right onto Superior Street
• Continue on Superior Street and turn right onto 21st Avenue East
• Continue up the hill on 21st Avenue East and turn left onto 3rd Street
• Continue on 3rd Street and turn left onto Mesaba Avenue
• Continue down the hill on Mesaba Avenue and merge onto Interstate-35

Westbound traffic on 1st Street will not be able to access Mesaba Avenue starting at 5:30 a.m. and will instead be diverted to Superior Street and Interstate 35 using 6th Avenue West.

To see the original post and read related stories, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website. https://www.wdio.com/duluth-minnesota-news/detours-to-be-put-in-place-for-grandmas-marathon/6142121/