Hwy 210, Hwy 2 Flood Damage Reconstruction

Hwy 210 in Carlton County and Hwy 2 in St. Louis County

Hwy 210, Hwy 2 Home | Soil Nailing | Hwy 210 Map | Hwy 210, Hwy 2 Construction Updates | Accessibility and ADA | Contacts

Overview

Locations

 

Schedule

Cost

Connect with us

Photo showing St. Louis river flooding and Thomson Bridge on Hwy 210 in the background. The water has eroded the road away blocking the bridge from the Hwy.

 

The St. Louis River, which normally flows at 3,500-cubic-feet-per-minute increased to 55,000-cubic-feet-per-minute at its peak after the storm. The Hwy 210 approach to the Thomson Bridge was washed away by the rushing water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo of the Thomson Bridge taken Dec. 11. Workers on the bridge complete final tasks. Bridge reopened Dec. 12.

 

The St. Louis River flows at a typical flow rate in this photo taken Dec. 11. Hwy 210 and the Thomson Bridge reopened

to traffic Dec. 12.

 

Background

A historic flood occurred in Northeastern Minnesota June 19 and 20, 2012. Some meteorologists have called it a "1,000-year-flood" suggesting another flood of this magnitude has only a one-in-one-thousand chance of occurring in any given year. The St. Louis River and its natural drainage areas reached record-breaking high levels. Flooded roads and damaged infrastructure immobilized many areas in Duluth and in areas south and north of Duluth. Within two-weeks most roadways were reopened after emergency, temporary or permanent repairs were made.

Fact sheet


Icon of Fact Sheet. Click on icon for larger version.

 

 

 

Icon of back side of Fact Sheet.

Flood damage Fact Sheets. Click on icons for larger versions. Zoom to enlarge more.

Click here for a printable version.

Jay Cooke State Park headquarters and campground are open

The west entrance from Thomson to Jay Cooke State Park headquarters and campground reopened October 22.. Visitors traveling on Hwy 210 between Thomson and the park headquarters should expect possible road construction that involves flagging operations, as ongoing highway repairs are made. Hwy 210 is closed from the edge of the campground to Fond Du Lac.

 

Hwy 210 from Jay Cooke State Park River Lodge to Jay Cooke Road and will remain closed until 2013 or 2014. Bridge and roadway stabilization plans are being developed for reconstruction in this heavily-damaged area.

 

An open house will be scheduled to allow the public an opportunity to review and comment on plan alternatives.

 

Current road closure information

 

Only one state highway remains closed due to flood damage; Hwy 210 south of Duluth from the eastern edge of the Jay Cooke State Park Campground to Fond du Lac.


Hwy 210
The most serious road-related flood damage occurred on Hwy 210. Hwy 210 winds through hilly terrain with steep slopes above and below the highway. These slopes are primarily composed of silty-clay with seams of sand and gravel. This type of soil is prone to slides during heavy rains. Heavy rain during a storm in early-June saturated the soil and caused minor slides. The June 19/20 storm dropped an additional 10 inches of rain on the already-unstable slopes and multiple mud slides occurred throughout the Hwy 210 corridor.

Public Open House

A public open house to provide updates on Hwy 210 and Jay Cooke State Park was held September 24 in Carlton. This website has been updated to include the information shared at the meeting.