WDIO Celebrates 60 Years of Covering Northland Stories

From the I-35 tunnel plan to affordable housing challenges, WDIO reflects on the 1970s in Duluth

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:23pm

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WDIO, the local news station in Duluth, Minnesota, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026. As part of the coverage, the station is looking back at the 1970s, a decade that saw the unveiling of plans for the I-35 tunnel under Leif Erickson Park and ongoing issues with affordable housing in the city.

Why it matters

WDIO's anniversary coverage provides a valuable historical perspective on the development and challenges facing the Duluth community over the past six decades. The stories from the 1970s highlight how long-standing infrastructure projects and housing affordability have been ongoing concerns for the region.

The details

In the 1970s, WDIO reported on the plans to build the I-35 tunnel under Leif Erickson Park in Duluth, a project that would ultimately cost $220 million and take two decades to complete. The station also covered tensions between neighborhood residents and the Duluth Ski Club over the use of Chester Park. Additionally, WDIO looked at the struggles of low-income residents to qualify for public housing due to strict income limits and reduced government subsidies.

  • In June 1971, residents voiced concerns about projects in Chester Park that prioritized winter activities over year-round use.
  • In August 1972, the plan for the I-35 tunnel under Leif Erickson Park was first unveiled.
  • The I-35 tunnel project was not officially completed until 1992.

The players

WDIO

The local news station in Duluth, Minnesota, that is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026.

Duluth Ski Club

The organization that maintained Chester Park, leading to tensions with neighborhood residents over the use of the park.

Minnesota Department of Transportation

The state agency that oversaw the construction of the I-35 tunnel under Leif Erickson Park, which required the removal of 235,000 cubic yards of rock.

Karen Evanson

A Duluth resident who was told her income was too low to qualify for the new low-income homes being built at the time.

Luella Rosenfield

A Duluth resident whose monthly income of $262 was too low to qualify for public housing, despite her need for affordable housing.

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What’s next

WDIO's anniversary coverage will continue to highlight the stories and challenges that have shaped the Northland over the decades.

The takeaway

WDIO's 60th anniversary coverage provides a valuable historical perspective on the development and challenges facing the Duluth community, from long-standing infrastructure projects like the I-35 tunnel to ongoing issues with affordable housing that have persisted for decades.