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
2025 AGC/MNDOT Bridge Award
Ames Construction received the AGC/MNDOT Bridge Award from Associated of General Contractors of Minnesota and MnDOT for work on Bridge No. 69139 on U.S. 53 over Michigan and Superior Streets. The bridge was a component of the Twins Ports Interchange project performed by the Ames Kraemer Joint Venture. The award honors craftsmanship, technical skills, innovation, and dedication to quality bridge construction.
2026 Grand Award
Ames Kraemer Joint Venture (AKJV), SEH Inc., Parsons, Barr Engineering Co., and MnDOT received the 2026 Grand Award from ACEC of Minnesota for the Twin Ports Interchange Final Design.
View all of our awards and accomplishments.
