With blind merges, left exits, and a counterintuitive design, the I-35/I-535/Highway 53 Twin Ports Interchange in Duluth, Minnesota, frustrated drivers. The interchange serves an average of 80,000 vehicles a day, some of which are oversized/overweight commercial vehicles heading to and from the Port of Duluth-Superior.
In fall 2020, Ames Construction and joint venture partner Kraemer North America (AKJV) began reconstructing the interchange with the goal of eliminating the dated design. Crews demolished existing bridges, replaced the I-35 mainline bridges with ground-improved embankment, and constructed new interchange bridges. AKJV also performed city street and utilities improvements and constructed a new major stream crossing box culvert under I-35. AKJV rerouted and merged two creeks to run through the culvert and into St. Louis Bay.
The reconstructed interchange improves driver safety, eliminates confusion, and creates more lane continuity for I-35 through traffic.
Markets: Transportation, Highways
Location: Duluth, Minnesota
Client: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Completion Date: October 2025
Delivery: CMGC
Details:
- 18 bridges constructed
- 33 bridges demolished
- 12,786 cubic yards of concrete for 48 deck pours
- 272,237 tons of contaminated soil excavated, hauled, and disposed of
- 80 million gallons of ground and surface water treated because of potential contamination due to historical site conditions
- 7,143 square yards of MSE wall
- 37,585 linear feet of pipe
- 268,590 linear feet (50.87 miles) of steel H-pile & CIP pile driven below cutoff elevations
