It turns out there may have been more cars on the streets in the past week because the ramp by the casino was closed for concrete repairs.

And, as good timing would have it, the ramp reopens tomorrow.

Here is the news release from the city of Duluth:

City announces East Superior ramp opens Friday, Oct. 26

The City of Duluth is pleased to announce, after a temporary closure for repairs and cleaning, the East Superior Street Public Ramp will reopen for parking tomorrow morning.

Some highlights of the work completed during the closure are as follows:

   * Replaced two large areas of significantly deteriorated concrete, totaling about 400 square feet, on the top floor of the facility.
   * Repaired one weight-bearing column and two weight-bearing haunches.
   * Repaired 20 ceiling leaks throughout the facility.
   * Repaired 2 pipe leaks.
   * Machine swept entire facility.
   * Pressure washed all levels.
   * Painted parking space lines throughout the facility.
   * Cleaned elevator cab glass and the interior of the elevator column glass.
   * Patched and painted west wall of the attendant booth.

Earlier this month, the following elevator performance repairs also were completed at the ramp:

   * Replaced elevator door gibbs and adjusted doors.
   * Replaced door locks.
   * Replaced door operator belt.
   * Replaced stop roller on the door operator.
   * Replaced bearing block assembly on the door operator.
   * Replaced door clutch rollers.
   * Replaced contacts on the cab gate switch.
   * Replaced starter contacts.
   * Replaced burned-out bulbs.
   * Lubricated jack packings.
   * Cleaned cab top and pit. 

Additional aesthetic enhancements will be completed over the coming weeks and months while the facility will remain open to the public.

Taking this info into account, however, I've been noticing fewer spots on the streets and avenues for a quite while, not just in the past week.