The design of the upcoming Blatnik Bridge replacement connecting Duluth, Minn. and Superior, Wis. has been unveiled, showcasing a tied arch design.

The longstanding bridge spanning the St. Louis River will be demolished in March, as it requires replacement ahead of a 2030 deadline due to corrosion and safety and traffic issues, MPR News reported.

The new Blatnik Bridge will resemble the original structure but will incorporate improved design and safety features, with the goal of achieving a 100-year service life. The tied arch design will be constructed on raised piers to support the roadway.

The crossing will be outfitted with four traffic lanes and a 12-foot pedestrian and bicycle path along one side that will include alcoves for scenic overlooks.

Blatnik Bridge Construction Timeline

The $1.8 billion project has been undergoing planning and preliminary work for the past six years and will be under construction for another six years, opening to traffic on Oct. 31, 2031. The timeline is due to a requirement that the closure not exceed 56 months, according to MPR News.

Official eventually elected to tear down the old bridge after considering building the new bridge on a slightly different alignment to keep the existing bridge open during construction. However, keeping the same alignment will shave a year off the construction timeline, reduce costs by $100 million and provide a safer option.

With the demolition of the current bridge slated for March, the removal of the main span will occur through 2027 and 2028, and the new span will be installed by the winter of 2031.

Following its opening, landscaping, cleanup and other work will continue through June 2032.

The crossing’s 33,000 daily drivers will be diverted to the Bong Bridge, about five miles southwest of the Blatnik Bridge.

The bridge will be constructed with $1 billion in federal funding, and Minnesota and Wisconsin are each contributing $400 million to the project.

Source: MPR News