The Blatnik Bridge, a critical connector between Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, is at the center of a funding debate as senators push for the release of a substantial federal grant. The bridge, which has served the area since 1961, now faces significant deterioration, prompting urgent calls for its replacement.
Wisconsin’s U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Minnesota’s U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar have collectively urged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to authorize a $1.05 billion federal grant for the new bridge project. In a letter dated March 2, they stressed the necessity of signing an amended grant agreement to advance the $1.8 billion project. This initiative was highlighted by former President Joe Biden during his 2024 visit to Superior, underscoring the bipartisan infrastructure law’s support.
Sen. Baldwin remarked, “The folks in Minnesota and Wisconsin who are planning the reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge have dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s. Now, it’s time the President and Secretary Duffy give the final greenlight for this project to move forward so we can keep Wisconsinites safe and support the local economy.”
The project, however, remains stalled as the U.S. Department of Transportation has not yet provided comments or approval. The aging bridge currently accommodates around 33,000 vehicles daily but is subject to weight restrictions due to its corroded trusses and is projected to close by 2030 if not replaced.
Concerns about the funding arise partly from the Trump administration’s past actions of withholding committed funds for projects in various states, which worries local businesses. Kelly Peterson, executive director of the Superior Business Improvement District, emphasized the need for timely action, saying, “We know it needs to get done, and the sooner, the better on the timeline that’s already been proposed.”
According to Pippi Mayfield, deputy communications director for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the transportation departments of both states have awaited the grant amendment approval since October. Mayfield noted, “Construction cannot begin without the execution of the amended grant agreement from the Secretary of Transportation. If the grant amendment is not signed soon and construction of the new bridge is delayed, this will cause a large increase in cost and a major shift in schedule. Inflation alone is estimated at $80 million per year for the project.”
Superior Mayor Jim Paine highlighted the city’s financial contributions toward temporary road improvements, cautioning against further investments if delays persist. “That’s going to close,” Paine stated. “The only question is whether it’s going to be rebuilt in a timely fashion.”
Several businesses, such as Great Lakes Electrical Equipment, are moving to accommodate the bridge’s replacement. Owner John Mahan remains unfazed by potential delays, stating, “It happens when it happens. Hypothetically, it takes five years (to replace the bridge). It’ll take five years next year or it’ll take five years a year after. Now, it may drive up costs, but that’s the federal government’s problem.”
Both states have allocated $400 million each for the bridge’s reconstruction. Republican U.S. House Reps. Pete Stauber and Tom Tiffany express confidence in the project’s completion, with Tiffany asserting, “Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy understands how vital this bridge is to the Twin Ports and will work to ensure its replacement gets done.”
While an exact timeline for the grant’s approval remains uncertain, the project’s final design is in progress, with phased construction expected to start this fall and a full bridge closure anticipated early next year.
