More work is planned this fall to prepare for the closure of the Blatnik Bridge in early 2027, including new pavement markings on Hwy 2, also called Belknap Street, in Superior and on the connecting ramps of Hwy 2 with I-35 in Duluth.
Beginning next week, crews from Ames-Kraemer Joint Venture II will complete lane reconfiguration and traffic signal work on Hwy 2 in Superior, along with entrance and exit lane reconfiguration where Hwy 2 connects with I-35 and 46th Avenue West in Duluth. In Superior, the work includes pavement markings on Hwy 2 between Banks and Ogden avenues to increase the storage capacity of left-turn lanes onto Hwy 35, also called Tower Avenue.
Changes to the entrance and exit ramp markings for eastbound and westbound Hwy 2 with I-35 in Duluth are intended to expand merge distances for drivers merging onto eastbound Hwy 2 toward Wisconsin and onto northbound I-35 coming from Wisconsin. Drivers will encounter lane and ramp closures while the work is underway.
The Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of transportation entered into a contract with Ames-Kraemer Joint Venture II in July for the final design and construction of the new Blatnik Bridge. Traffic mitigation work began in September with a resurfacing project on Winter Street in Superior, from Hwy 53 to Susquehanna Avenue, and on Susquehanna Avenue from Winter Street to Hwy 2. That work is expected to be completed in mid-November.
Full closure of the Blatnik Bridge is expected no earlier than March 1, 2027, so crews can remove the existing structure. The new bridge is scheduled to open to traffic by Oct. 31, 2031, with overall project completion in 2032.
