NEWS: Senator Baldwin Delivers Over $1 Billion to Replace the Blatnik Bridge

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that Wisconsin and Minnesota will receive more than $1.05 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to replace the Blatnik Bridge. In addition to voting for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senator Baldwin has been pushing the Biden Administration for nearly two years to fund the project to replace the over 60-year-old Blatnik Bridge connecting Superior to Duluth.

“This is what delivering for Wisconsin looks like. I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring federal resources back to Wisconsin, and now we are seeing the results pay off. I have been pushing the Biden Administration at every turn to fund this project because a new Blatnik Bridge is critical for our economy, safety, and way of life,” said Senator Baldwin. “With this investment, we can ensure that billions of dollars’ worth of products can get to market efficiently, families can get to work on time, and millions of travelers get to their destinations safely.”

“I have been glad to work closely with Senator Baldwin and other state and federal partners to secure the necessary investments to replace the Blatnik Bridge here at the end of its service life, and I'm proud to be able to say today that our hard work has paid off," said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. "We're excited to celebrate this award today and what it means for our state, our workforce and economy, and the quality of life in Northern Wisconsin. I want to thank Senator Baldwin and Governor Walz for their partnership in championing this project to get this done for our states, and I look forward to our continued work together toward ensuring our infrastructure is built to meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce and economy.”

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. In March 2022, President Biden visited the Blatnik Bridge to highlight the passage of the Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the impact of the investment in our bridges on local communities and economies.

Since the passage of the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senator Baldwin has been advocating for Wisconsin to receive federal funds to replace the Blatnik Bridge.

• March 2022: Senator Baldwin joined President Biden in Superior to highlight Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in bridges on local communities and economies and advocate for funding to replace the Blatnik Bridge.
• December 2022: Senator Baldwin secured $7.5 million for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to replace the Blatnik Bridge through the annual budget process.
• June 2023: Senator Baldwin and Governor Evers along with 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.

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