Blatnik Bridge connecting Minnesota, Wisconsin to undergo $1.8B reconstruction

DULUTH, Minn. (FOX 9) - A major bridge connecting two states is getting a long-overdue overhaul. Gov. Tim Walz will join lawmakers and construction crews in Duluth on Monday to mark the start of one of the region's biggest infrastructure projects in recent memory.

Bridge connecting Minnesota, Wisconsin to undergo construction

The backstory:

The Blatnik Bridge, which spans the border between Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin, is about 65 years old and has been in rough shape in recent years. It is one of only two bridges connecting the two cities and serves an average of 33,000 cars every day. It is also Minnesota's second-longest bridge.

By the numbers:

The reconstruction carries a price tag of $1.8 billion. The federal government is providing $1 billion in funding, with both Minnesota and Wisconsin contributing to cover the remaining costs. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is leading the project.

Construction is set to officially begin in September, following six years of planning. The project is expected to take up to five years to complete.

Groundbreaking ceremony

Local perspective:

Governor Tim Walz was joined by other Minnesota and Wisconsin leaders on Monday for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the project.

Walz touted the jobs the project will help support.

"Remember the people in this area that's going to benefit from [the project] as you're swearing at us for the next three and a half years as it's being done," said Walz. "It's going to take time and this is where I'll put my public service announcement in  –  make sure that we know that people are out here. This is dangerous work. It's hard work. Our commitment to safety is absolutely paramount. And over the next few years, you're going to have lots and lots, thousands of people out here working on this project. We want to keep them safe."

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