NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 27, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Hemilla, Public Works Deputy Director
218-312-8153 or hemillam@stlouiscountymn.gov
St. Louis County Public Works details 2026 road/bridge construction season totaling $83 million
The reconstruction of roads in Eveleth, Aurora and Duluth; along with several road projects that will include a taconite tailings byproduct as part of the resurfacing material - these are among the 107 projects being managed by St. Louis County Public Works in 2026.
The projects in total are an $83 million investment in the county's massive infrastructure. Included in this will be: nine bridge replacements and one bridge rehabilitation; 59 miles of pavement resurfacing projects, such as reclaim overlay, mill overlay and overlays; 53 miles of preventative maintenance projects such as chip sealing and scrub sealing; 2.1 miles of full urban road reconstruction; 13 miles of Gravel Road Investment Program (GRIP) projects along with other gravel road surfacing, grading and surface stabilization; plus other safety improvement projects.
Among some of the more notable projects:
In Aurora, St. Louis County is reconstructing and resurfacing County State Aid Highway 100 (3rd Ave North/Main St) from Highway 135 to the railroad crossing. The work is being done in partnership with the City of Aurora, which will be reconstructing city streets and utilities along the CSAH 100 corridor. The project includes construction of a mini-roundabout at the intersection of 3rd Avenue North and Main Street North; and safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities.
In Duluth, St. Louis County will begin a two-year project to reconstruct 40th Avenue West from Grand Avenue up the hill to the railroad tracks. The project will include constructing a mini-roundabout at the intersection of 40th Avenue West and Grand Avenue, in place of the current traffic signals. The City of Duluth will be replacing utilities at the same time. Also included in the project, which was designed following a comprehensive corridor study, will be construction along 40th Avenue West of a raised center median, plus a 10-foot path along the east side and a 6-foot sidewalk along the west side. Added safety components include better lighting plus an enhanced pedestrian crossing on 40th Avenue West at 6th Street.
In Eveleth, St. Louis County will reconstruct Progress Parkway from Highway 53 to White Cedar Drive. This will include construction of a roundabout connecting Highway 53 to Wolverine Way, Industrial Park Drive and the future Progress Parkway extension, plus accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities to improve access to the school. The project also involves partial removal of the old Eveleth dump site.This is considered phase one of a multi-year project with additional work planned to construction a new road south to Highway 37, providing a secondary access route to the Rock Ridge School.
Work begins next week to reconstruct the intersection of Midway Road and North Cloquet Road in Midway Township. The project includes lowering a hill on Midway Road to improve sight lines, plus the addition of turn lanes for traffic on Midway Road.
Several road re-surfacing projects will include a unique ingredient. A taconite tailings by-product is being ground down and blended with the oil that is spread on the road both to protect the surface and improve traction. Roads receiving this resurfacing treatment include Maple Grove Road between Highway 2 and Canosia Road; St. Louis River Road between Canosia Road and Midway Road; and, in Greenwood Township, on 5.5 miles of County State Aid Highway 77 plus County Road 929, from County Road 115 to the end of Moccasin Point.
Funding for these projects come from a variety of sources, including State Aid, Federal, Transportation Sales Tax, Local, State Bridge Bonding and others. Of the 107 total projects planned, five had been delayed earlier this year due to potential loss of funding related to the County's policy on using Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). With that issue resolved, those projects have been put out for bid, though to ensure the county receives the best pricing, contractors are being given the option to complete the projects in 2026 or 2027.
St. Louis County Public Works is responsible for maintaining more than 3,000 miles of roads and 600 bridges. To learn more about the projects being constructed this year, as well as those in the planning process for future construction seasons, visit engage.stlouiscountymn.gov.
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