23rd Street Reconstruction

FAST FACTS

  • Where: Between First Avenue and Ninth Avenue East. Reconstruction included sidewalk, curb & gutter, watermain, street lights, steam, and a new bituminous surface.
  • When: May 12 - Oct. 14
  • Why: Age
  • Cost: $2,715,095 ($1,155,561.17 Municipal State Aid Funds and $1,559,533.68 Hibbing Public Utilities)

PROJECT COMPLETED: Oct 14, 2026


The City of Hibbing thanks residents, businesses, and school families for their patience and cooperation throughout this important infrastructure project. Your support helped us move closer to a safer, more modern, and pedestrian-friendly community.

For further updates, please visit hibbingmn.gov or contact the City Engineering Department at 218-312-1571.

PROJECT BACKGROUND: 

A major thoroughfare from First Avenue to Highway 169 and the main access to three schools and the Memorial Building, 23rd Street between First Avenue and Ninth Avenue East has been closed for reconstruction since May 12.

City Engineer Jesse Story said the revamp is necessary due to its age.

“The bituminous surface was last rehabilitated in 2002, and the concrete sidewalks and curb/gutter is well over 50 years old,” he noted. “The scope of this project is a bituminous mill and overlay from First Avenue to Ninth Avenue East.”  

The project has several moving parts, including:

  • Curb and gutter replacement
  • Sidewalk placement
  • Watermain installation
  • Electrical installation
  • Steam system rehabilitation

New pedestrian ramps will be added at each intersection that meet the current ADA requirements and new streetlights will be installed.

“There are different phases of the project that will overlap,” added Story. “The phases include bituminous and concrete removal, watermain installation, steam rehabilitation, new curb/gutter and sidewalk, then new bituminous.”

Due to this ongoing work, 23rd Street is expected to be closed until late August. Traffic will be rerouted, and pedestrian and bicycle access will not be maintained.

Drivers are encouraged to use the adjacent streets to get to the north or south side of 23rd Street. Property owners along 23rd Street will need to access their property either on the avenues or through the alleys, as there will be no access from 23rd Street.

“The benefits of this project will be a smoother driving surface and safer crossing surfaces for pedestrians,” said Story.

Substantial completion is anticipated to be around Aug. 29.

The cost of this reconstruction project is $2,746,571 and will be funded through Municipal State Aid funds ($1,130,479) and a Minnesota Public Facilities Authority loan of $1,616,093 through HPU.