December 4, 2023

By Lane Kimble

Wisconsin and Minnesota want to do everything possible to secure the money to begin work on a critical transportation project.

Monday, Gov. Tony Evers announced the two states applied for a second federal grant to replace the aging Blatnik Bridge.

The $1 billion request is through the U.S. DOT’s Bridge Investment Program.

“This submittal is a major step forward for our two states, and I look forward to continuing to work with Gov. Walz and our partners in Minnesota and our federal partners to build the 21st-century infrastructure the people of our states deserve,” Evers said in a press release.

The two states applied for a separate $1 billion through the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program back in August.  The governor and lawmakers also included $400 million in state funds and borrowing when crafting the 2023-25 budget.

Those steps show a concerted effort to convince feds of the dire need to replace the bridge, which links Superior with Duluth and allows more than $4 billion of goods to travel into and out of the Twin Ports.

Built in 1961, the Blatnik Bridge has deteriorated and is posted for a much lower weight limit than such a bridge needs to serve the region.

Design work on the bridge’s replacement could begin next year.