NEWS: Baldwin, Evers Celebrate Groundbreaking for Blatnik Bridge Replacement Project

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Governor Tony Evers joined Wisconsin and Minnesota leaders to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the Blatnik Bridge replacement project, which Senator Baldwin successfully secured more than $1 billion in federal funding to support the project. The funding for the bridge replacement comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Baldwin voted for, and all of Wisconsin’s Congressional Republicans voted against.

“This is what happens when leaders roll up their sleeves, work together, and deliver for the people we represent,” said Senator Baldwin. “Since the day we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I’ve worked tirelessly with Governor Evers and our friends on the other side of the Mississippi to get this funding, and today we are putting shovels in the ground to replace this aging bridge. This bridge is more than an investment in concrete and steel. We are investing in our people—in the workers who will build it, the businesses that depend on it, and the families who will use it every day.”

“Sen. Baldwin and I have been proud to champion the Blatnik Bridge replacement project for years with our partners across the river in Minnesota, and I’m excited to help celebrate the groundbreaking of this exciting and essential project that will serve our two states and our region for generations of future residents. This is a big deal, folks,” said Governor Evers. “Replacing Blatnik Bridge is a once-in-a-generation infrastructure project that will not only create thousands of jobs but will support the 21st-century needs of our people, our workforces, and our economies. We’re proud of all of the years of effort and advocacy that went into getting to this point, and we’re glad this day has finally arrived.”

The Blatnik Bridge is a vital connection between Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, with over 33,000 vehicles passing through daily and 265,000 trucks transporting nearly $4 billion in goods annually. After more than 60 years of heavy usage, the bridge has suffered from significant structural deterioration, leading to capacity, mobility, and safety concerns.

Since the passage of the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senator Baldwin has been advocating and building the coalition needed for Wisconsin and Minnesota to earn the federal funds to replace the Blatnik Bridge, including:

• March 2022: Senator Baldwin joined President Biden in Superior to highlight Bipartisan Infrastructure Law transformational investments for local communities and advocate for funding to replace the Blatnik Bridge.
• December 2022: Senator Baldwin secured $7.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to plan and design the replacement the Blatnik Bridge through the annual budget process.
• June 2023: Senator Baldwin, Governor Evers, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson, and Superior Mayor Jim Paine visited Superior to highlight the continued need to replace the Blatnik Bridge and urge the Biden Administration to invest in the project.
• August 2023: Senator Baldwin called on the Biden Administration to support Wisconsin and Minnesota’s application for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the project.
• October 2023: Senator Baldwin joined a bipartisan group of eight Minnesota and Wisconsin legislators to urge President Biden to support Minnesota and Wisconsin’s application for federal funding to rebuild the Blatnik Bridge.
• December 2023: Senator Baldwin again voiced her support for the Blatnik Bridge and announced her support for Wisconsin and Minnesota’s second application for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.
• January 2024: Senator Baldwin delivered over $1 billion in federal funding to replace the Blatnik Bridge
• March 2026: Senator Baldwin successfully pushed the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to release the more than $1 billion for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

The current, aging bridge will close for approximately 4-5 years starting in early 2027. The project is scheduled for completion in 2032, and construction is expected to employ 1,100 workers annually.

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