Construction Plans and Timelines
Originally built in 1986 as a half-mile path, Duluth’s Lakewalk was extended over the years with the help of Friends of the Lakewalk (FotL). Duluth’s Lakewalk now consists of over eight miles of paved pedestrian and bicycle trail stretching from Bayfront Park through Brighton Beach / Kitchi Gammi Park, much of it along the Lake Superior shore. Construction work continues to address major damage from past storms.
Areas of Duluth’s Lakewalk to Temporarily Close for Construction in 2026 & 2027
The City of Duluth began work on the Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements project on August 18, 2026. This project will stretch between Endion Station in Canal Park and approximately 27th Avenue East. Total length affected will be approximately 2.7 miles.
The heavy use of this portion of the Lakewalk will certainly make this project and associated detours more complex with disruptions to multimodal commuters, visitors, and residents that use and enjoy this stretch of the Lakewalk. The short-term disruption will result in a much-improved Lakewalk.
Timeline:
August 18, 2026: Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements project begins. Lakewalk closures and detours start.
· The Lakewalk will be closed between Leif Erikson Park and Water Street; a detour is posted directing pedestrian traffic in order to bypass the construction work. The detour route is as follows:
- Westbound traffic: Lakewalk > South 23rd Avenue East > South 21st Avenue East > London Road > Rose Garden > Leif Erikson Park
-Eastbound traffic: Leif Erikson Park > Rose Garden > London Road > South 21st Avenue East > South 23rd Avenue East > Lakewalk
The temporary closure is anticipated to be in place through October 2026, then pausing over winter
Future trail closure segments will be necessary as the project progresses. Information about trail detours will be posted as those segments are affected.
September 2026: Work begins at Endion Station and at approximately 27th Avenue East (northeast of the London Road underpass).
End of October 2026: Construction pauses over winter and Lakewalk open for use.April-May 2027: Construction resumes in spring 2027.
December 2027: Substantial completion of project.
Key Design Features:
− New bike/bypass trail at 12’ width will parallel railroad tracks and will no longer require entry into main park area − Approximately 400LF of retaining wall needed to support slope and new trail alignment − Pedestrian links into park align with bandshell
− New pedestrian path along existing Lakewalk trail alignment to include new stairs − Native planting restoration limited to areas only disturbed during construction
− Work with established community partnership to protect, incorporate, or relocate existing gardens.
Planning for this project was completed in 2025. The project has been designed, reviewed and approved by state and federal agencies, and then bid in July 2026.
The Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project is supported by federal grant funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation, state grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, State of Minnesota bonding, a grant through the Minnesota Historical Society, city bonding, and city tourism taxes.
For more information about the project, or to submit questions or comments, please visit
Partnerships
The FotL organization actively partners with the City of Duluth and its Parks and Recreation department (https://duluthmn.gov/parks/) on designated projects for the benefit of the Lakewalk. We have provided input to analyze existing conditions, identify problem areas, and contribute ideas of needed park elements. Design solutions address shoreline protection, accessibility improvements, the need for signage, and creation of spaces for reflection and gathering along the city’s Canal Park tourism district and other areas including Brighton Beach.
ADA standards and safety improvements
FotL has been strong advocates that the Lakewalk needs to be brought up to ADA standards and to have safety elements addressed. There are three primary areas that currently do not meet ADA: hills at Leif Erikson Park, intersection and “S” curve grade at 23rd Ave E, and juncture at 26th Ave E. We are happy to announce that these are planned to be corrected in 2026 to meet ADA standards and provide a safer environment for walkers, bikers, and motorists.
Signage
FotL Partnership and Project Committee members are teaming with Duluth Parks staff to plan for, fund, and install wayfinding and interpretive signage along the Lakewalk in 2026. Wayfinding/directional signs provide ties to adjacent neighborhoods. Interpretive signs address Duluth’s history, culture, and heritage.
Join & get involved
Help is always needed. By joining Friends of the Lakewalk, members receive emails, construction updates, and how to get involved with projects such as these.