Blatnik Bridge Construction Contract Administration & Verification

2026-11-03

MnDOT requests proposals for assistance in performing tasks necessary to verify that the Blatnik Bridge Design - Build Construction contractor ( DB contractor ) is meeting all construction requirements of the Design - Build Conformed Contract for the Project . The project is primarily located in St . Louis County , Minnesota and Douglas County , Wisconsin between the cities of Duluth , Minnesota and Superior , Wisconsin . The project limits extend 0 . 3 miles from the existing bridge structure on the Minnesota approach to 0 . 75 miles from the existing bridge structure on the Wisconsin approach , along US 53 . The project includes replacement of the existing John . A . Blatnik I - 535 Bridge ( Minnesota Bridge number 9030 , Wisconsin Structure B - 16 - 5 ) on Interstate 535 ( I - 535 ) connecting Duluth , Minnesota and Superior Wisconsin across the St . Louis River and Bay . The project also includes reconstructing an interchange in Superior , WI that routes I - 535 directly to US 53 , with local connections to Hammond Avenue and WIS 35 . The project includes design and construction of a new mainline bridge ( Minnesota Bridge number 69913 , Wisconsin Structure B - 16 - 0153 ) and new exit ramp bridge ( WI Structure B - 16 - 0154 ) and entrance ramp bridge ( WI Structure B - 16 - 0155 ). The new mainline bridge includes new Minnesota approach spans , a new main span over the Main Navigation Channel , new spans along Connor ’ s Point , new spans over the Howard ’ s Pocket Navigation Channel , and new Wisconsin approach spans that connect to US Highway 53 in Wisconsin . The project includes a new shared use path on the easterly side of the new mainline bridge and Wisconsin entrance ramp bridge with trail connections in Duluth and Superior , drainage improvements , retaining walls , and improvements within the City of Superior . The existing bridge will be closed for the majority of construction and traffic will be detoured to the Richard I . Bong Memorial Bridge .

Minnesota

2026-04-29