August 14, 2026

By Lane Kimble

The new Blatnik Bridge linking Superior to Duluth, Minnesota will look similar to the existing one with some much-needed upgrades and design improvements.

MnDOT, WisDOT and contractors unveiled renderings of the designs Wednesday night.

The bridge will feature its notable center arches but will also include a protected 12-foot-wide biking and pedestrian path with rest areas and overlook stops in addition to a reconfigured interchange on the Wisconsin side.

MnDOT posted the presentation documents and a computer-animated flyover of the new bridge on its project webpage.

Crews led by a joint venture between Ames and Kraemer North America will build the bridge along the existing alignment, which means the current Blatnik will close for demolition in December.

Construction is expected to run from 2027 through 2031.

The estimated cost to replace the bridge was $1.8 billion, with about $1 billion in federal money supplementing $400 million each from Minnesota and Wisconsin. However, Ames-Kraemer’s winning bid came in well below that, around $939 million.

WisDOT says it’s possible the reduced price will result in freed-up borrowing power in future state budgets but that’s left to be seen, the department told WTBA.