Summit Avenue Road Closures & Race Schedules: Complete Twin Cities Marathon Weekend Navigation Guide
By James H. Sterling
Understanding which north-south cross streets stay open is the difference between a smooth trip and hours sitting in residential gridlock. Most standard cross-streets terminate into cul-de-sacs of traffic cones on race morning.
| Segment / Intersection | Closure Window | Recommended Alternative Route |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River Blvd to Cretin Ave | 6:45 AM, 12:45 PM | Marshall Ave (Westbound/Eastbound) |
| Snelling Ave Intersection | 7:00 AM, 1:15 PM | I-94 or Ayd Mill Road connection |
| Lexington Pkwy to Dale St | 7:00 AM, 1:45 PM | Selby Ave or Grand Ave |
| Dale St to Cathedral of Saint Paul | 7:15 AM, 2:30 PM | West 7th St (Hwy 5) or Kellogg Blvd East |
Public transit experiences sweeping changes during the closure window. Metro Transit bus routes crossing Summit, notably the Route 63 on Grand, the Route 84 on Snelling, and the A Line rapid transit, operate with extended headways and significant detours. The A Line maintains north-south service along Snelling Avenue via intermittent transit priority windows managed by St. Paul police, though riders should anticipate 10, 20 minute delays between mid-morning and early afternoon.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
