Evers, Baldwin welcome Biden to celebrate $1.05B grant for replacing Superior-Duluth bridge

Gov. Tony Evers, together with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, on Thursday welcomed President Joe Biden to Wisconsin to celebrate the over $1.05 billion federal grant jointly awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), according to a press release. The grant money will be used to replace the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge between Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota. 

The funding is being awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Built in 1961, the Blatnik Bridge has served as an essential link between Superior and Duluth via Interstate 535 and U.S. 53 for more than 60 years. Jointly owned and operated by WisDOT and MnDOT, the important freight and commercial connector reached the end of its service life.

Design work, which will determine specifications and shape the final project, is anticipated to begin this year. Once a final design is selected, construction could begin as early as 2025.