Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

I-535 Blatnik Bridge

Duluth, Minn. and Superior, Wis.

About this project

A rendering of the Blatnik Bridge location.

Click image for full-size image

MnDOT and WisDOT are working toward a future project to address concerns about the John A. Blatnik Bridge, one of two bridges that connects Duluth, Minn., to Superior, Wis. Carrying I-535 over the St. Louis Bay, the Blatnik is an important freight and commercial connection between the Twin Ports.

Jointly owned and managed by MnDOT and WisDOT, it is Minnesota's second longest bridge and serves an average of 33,021 cars traveling between the two cities each day. MnDOT will lead the project, which will address aging infrastructure, improve safety and better accommodate oversize/overweight loads.

Environment Assessment documents

MnDOT published the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board for public comment from Sept. 19-Oct. 19, 2023. Comments made during this period have been added to the project administrative record and will be considered by the project team for a determination as to the adequacy of the environmental documentation. A summary of all comments received and how they have been considered will be prepared in a Findings of Facts and Conclusion Document, which will be distributed in early 2024. A public hearing was also held on Oct. 3, and a presentation on the materials can be viewed below

A presentation on the materials can be viewed below.