SAFER 6TH AVENUE EAST

6TH AVENUE EAST IS FINALLY CHANGING!

6th Avenue East is a relic of the former highway system that divides the Hillside neighborhood. Paired with redlining, its high-speed design has caused major health disparities for the neighborhood.

The City of Duluth has heard residents’ concerns and decided to reconfigure the corridor in 2025, followed by full reconstruction in 7-10 years. This provides us with the opportunity to revitalize both the roadway and the Hillside neighborhood, creating a healthy and welcoming place where people can thrive.

TIMELINE

2025

Phase 1: Resurface 6th Ave E

2025-29

Collect Public Input on Phase 2 Corridor Development, Test Designs, Acquire Funds, Develop Reconstruction Plans

2030

Earliest Possible Phase 2 Reconstruction

2034

Latest Possible Phase 2 Reconstruction

VIEW THE CITY'S LAYOUT FOR 2025 RESURFACING
VIEW THE CITY'S JANUARY 2025 PUBLIC PRESENTATION

COMMUNITY INPUT

Does 6th Avenue East feel safe to walk, bike, or bus on? 85% say no!

*Half are Hillside residents

*But many worry that not enough change will occur

“I want a road that’s a connector, not a barrier!

“It’s scary as heck walking right next to lanes of traffic with my kids.”

“I want a place that feels like a neighborhood, not a highway.”

“I want a road that’s pedestrian friendly, that I don’t have to avoid anymore.”

“I want lots of green space. Places to gather as a community. Places to stop and pause to enjoy the view of the amazing lake. Benches, water fountains, nice bus shelters, art. More local businesses that serve the neighborhood so we don’t have to drive to everything. Slower traffic speeds. Native pollinator gardens that are beautiful and eco-friendly. Food gardens that can offer food to the public. Little free libraries and other community-driven features that connect the neighborhood.”

“I want a street people WANT to walk on and go to rather than avoid!”

MAJOR CONCERNS

Car Traffic:
The amount and speed of traffic makes it difficult to safely cross.

Street & Sidewalk Infrastructure:
Crumbling and unmaintained infrastructure makes getting around difficult, especially for elders, youth, and people with disabilities.

Access to Resources:
More resources are needed along this street to address poverty, safe & accessible housing, addiction, and mental health.

Abandoned Properties:
Empty houses, storefronts, and lots contribute to negative perceptions of the neighborhood and make it difficult for neighbors to gather along the corridor.

COMMUNITY VISIONS

Community-made vision boards imagine what a safer, more vibrant 6th Avenue East could look like.

PHASE 1: RESURFACING

These major traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures are being included in 2025 Resurfacing because of your community input. Thank you for being part of the change!

Click the image to learn more about each change.

WATCH THE SAFER 6TH AVENUE EAST DOCUMENTARY!

FULL-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY
3-MINUTE DOCUMENTARY

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Become a 6th Avenue East volunteer! We’re frequently looking for help with door-to-door canvassing, bike + ped counts, activation events, demonstration projects, and more. Email andrea@zeitgeistarts.com to get involved.

Zeitgeist is made possible with your help

DONATE NOW

6TH AVENUE EAST SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Special thanks to community partners who have provided studies on 6th Avenue East and advocated for change, including: the City of Duluth, Fit City Duluth, Healthy Duluth Area Coalition, Myers-Wilkins Elementary School, Duluth Community School Collaborative, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Metropolitan Interstate Council (MIC), Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth, St. Louis County Public Health & Human Services, Essentia Health, Duluth Transit Authority (DTA), and neighbors living on or near 6th Avenue East.

Q

4-to-3 Lane Conversion

Traffic crashes are a primary issue on 6th Avenue East. The U.S. Department of Transportation is recommending a 4-to-3 lane conversion for any street that handles under 25,000 cars per day. Traffic studies from 2014-2023 show that 6th Avenue East handles <12,000 cars per day (equivalent to 4th Street which has 2 lanes)—and those numbers are decreasing each year. Converting the street from 4-to-3 lanes won’t drastically impact commute times but will calm traffic and reduce crashes by 19-47%.* Learn more about 4-to-3 lane conversion.

*Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

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ADA Ramps

The Hillside has 25% of people living with disabilities compared to Duluth’s 13%, and 22% of people who are 65+ compared to Duluth’s 15%. Additionally, 1 in 3 households in the Hillside don’t have a car which means that having accessible sidewalks and crossings along 6th Avenue East is a major priority for the community. In 2025, along with restriping, the City is making all curbs ADA compliant. The design of these curb ramps is dependent, in part, on public input with regards to:  Ramp Angle—diagonal (pointing into the middle of the intersection) or perpendicular (pointing into the crosswalk), Ramp Width, Ramp Color, and Ramp Texture.

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Curb Bumpouts

Curb bumpouts (also called bulb-outs or extensions) extend the sidewalk into the parking lane to narrow the roadway and provide additional pedestrian space at key locations. Curb extensions enhance pedestrian safety by increasing pedestrian visibility, shortening crossing distances, slowing turning vehicles, and visually narrowing the roadway. Curb bumpouts is being added at 9th St to provide additional traffic calming techniques that reduce vehicle travel lanes, and can also serve as a visual cue to drivers that they are entering a neighborhood.*

*Source: National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and SF Better Streets

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Pedestrian Refuges

Pedestrian crashes account for approximately 17% percent of all traffic fatalities annually and 74% percent of these occur at non-intersection locations. A pedestrian refuge island (or crossing area) is a median with a refuge area that is intended to help protect pedestrians who are crossing a road. A green pedestrian safety island with plantings in the center as part of 2025 Resurfacing from 5th St to 9th St (with a break at 7th St for vehicles turning left) allows pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time, and adds vegetation and beautification to the corridor.*

*Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

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Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons

A marked crosswalk or pedestrian warning sign may not be sufficient for drivers to yield to pedestrians—and the City of Duluth’s 2023 count showed a 25% average yield rate on 6th Avenue East (compared to a 90% average yield rate on 23rd Avenue West). Although the narrow width of sidewalks on 6th Avenue East does not provide sufficient space for pedestrian-activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), an overhanging flashing light is being added to the 9th St crossing to enhance pedestrian conspicuity and increase driver awareness.*

*Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and City of Duluth Planning & Development Department

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High Visibility Crosswalks

Poor lighting conditions, obstructions such as parked cars, and horizontal or vertical roadway curvature can reduce visibility at crosswalks, contributing to safety issues. For multilane roadway crossings where vehicle volumes are >10,000 per day, a marked crosswalk alone is typically not sufficient. Enhanced lighting and signage on 9th St will make it significantly safer to cross.*

*Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

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Leading Pedestrian Intervals

A leading pedestrian interval (LPI) gives pedestrians the opportunity to enter the crosswalk at an intersection 3-7 seconds before vehicles are given a green indication. An LPI on 9th St as part of 2025 Resurfacing will allow pedestrians to better establish their presence in the crosswalk before vehicles have priority to turn right or left. LPIs provide the following benefits: Increase visibility of crossing pedestrians, reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, increase likelihood of motorists yielding to pedestrians, enhance safety for pedestrians who may be slower to start into the intersection.*

*Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

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