Blatnik Bridge

 

Location

• I-535/Hwy 53 between Duluth and Superior

 

Schedule

• May to Oct. 2012 and May to Oct. 2013

 

Cost

• $12,945,018

New lighting system selected

The Blatnik Bridge will be illuminated in a wash of light which is accomplished by casting light off the interior of the structure. MnDOT and WisDOT will share the cost to construct the new energy-efficient lighting system.

Design Features A 35 percent or greater energy savings over the original system Dimmable, programmable LED fixtures can be set to light the bridge as much or as little as desired Reduced number of fixtures and smaller distribution system compared to original system Easier maintenance access to all fixtures Uniform light levels within structure Increased protection from snow and roadway salt spray Reduced glare for motorists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New lighting system will be operational by fall 2013

Final design work on the new lighting system will begin in early-October and will be complete in January 2013. Construction will take place in summer 2013 and the system will be operational in fall 2013.

 

The lighting design concepts were developed by the Blatnik Bridge scoping team which included WisDOT engineers and representatives from Allete/Minnesota Power. The team considered esthetics, initial cost, operating cost and maintenance, durability and safety in preparing these designs. Comments collected during a public open house on August 29 and for several days following the open house were overwhelmingly in support of the new Illuminated design.

Outline lights were removed for rehabilitation project

All of the outline lighting fixtures on the Blatnik Bridge were attached to the outside faces of the structural steel and had to be removed to access the areas behind them during the 2012-2013 rehabilitation project. The bridge will not have any outline lighting during the two-year construction project.

 

Roadway and navigational lights will remain lit

All roadway and navigational lighting on the bridge will remain operational during the two-year project and after it is finished. Roadway and navigational lighting systems are essential for the safe operation of traffic on the bridge and for ships using the channel below the bridge.

 

Lighting replacement team

MnDOT has formed a team of local and state officials who are interested in the new, energy-efficient LED, lighting system on the bridge. The team met on May 4 and again on June 14. If you would like to learn more about this team please contact Dan Erickson, MnDOT engineer.