March 20, 2026

By Lane Kimble

The largest and most crucial piece of the Blatnik Bridge replacement project came through this week.

The federal government obligated $1.05 billion in funding to replace the aging structure. USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy announced the news in a press release Tuesday.

“As a son of Wisconsin, I know just how vital this bridge is to the future of Superior and Duluth. After months of hard work, our team is ready to get this money out the door and shovels in the dirt,” Duffy said.

The federal dollars cover more than half of the $1.8 billion project. Wisconsin and Minnesota both committed $400 million for the work, which MnDOT will oversee as lead agency.

The project will replace the 65-year-old bridge with a new one along the exact same alignment beginning with a full shutdown of the existing structure in early 2027.

The replacement will include a shared bike and pedestrian path, better support for heavy cargo and freight loads, a safer design, and an improved interchange on the Wisconsin side.

“We now look to the future, as Wisconsin and Minnesota will begin constructing a new bridge that will continue to serve as a vital connection between Superior and Duluth and continue to carry the billions of dollars in freight brought through the largest port on the Great Lakes each year,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said.

About 33,000 vehicles use the Blatnik Bridge daily to get between the Twin Ports of Superior and Duluth, Minn. Many of those will be detoured over the Bong Bridge during construction.

MnDOT announced its Design-Build shortlist in November, naming Lunda Construction Company and a joint venture between Ames and Kraemer North America as the finalists.  A winner will be chosen in June.

Phased construction is currently scheduled through 2031.