The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released long-awaited funding for the Blatnik Bridge, a critical connection between Wisconsin and Minnesota spanning the Saint Louis River.
The $1.05 billion grant — originally awarded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — was placed under review earlier this year as the Trump Administration evaluated whether pending grants aligned with federal priorities, according to The Wisconsin Independent.
That review delayed final approval of the funding, which is now cleared to move forward.
Full Bridge Replacement Planned
The project will fully replace the existing bridge, which connects Superior, Wis., and Duluth, Minn., maintaining the current alignment, according to Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA).
Construction is expected to begin with a full shutdown of the existing structure in 2027.
If left unaddressed, the 65-year-old bridge would need to be closed in 2030, The Wisconsin Independent reported, underscoring the urgency of the replacement project.
Roughly 33,000 daily commuters who rely on the bridge will be detoured to the nearby Bong Bridge during construction.
Replacement work will include the construction of a shared bike and pedestrian path, enhanced support for freight, upgraded safety and interchange improvements on the Wisconsin side.
According to WTBA, the total project cost is estimated at $1.8 billion with Wisconsin and Minnesota contributing $400 million each.
A group of Democratic lawmakers penned a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who formerly represented Wisconsin in Congress, on March 2 to request that the funding be released. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers also wrote to Duffy on March 10, warning that costs on the project would rise by $80 million each year of delay, the Wisconsin Independent reported.
Sources: The Wisconsin Independent, WTBA
