Blatnik Bridge Replacement Tender

Location Blatnik BridgeThe Minnesota Department of Transportation is planning for Blatnik Bridge replacement for a new 10-year plan. It is targeting replacement for 2028 at a cost share between 170 million and 230 million. The state of Wisconsin will be on the hook for the other half of the price tag setting the current replacement cost at up to 460 million. Ironically improvements to the Blatnik including a 1990 rehabilitation that added a heavier deck and concrete railings have hastened its deterioration by increasing the load on the bridge. the District 1 office based in Duluth which encompasses oversight of state highways and bridges throughout Northeastern Minnesota. At the moment hes limited in what he can say about Blatniks future because the state of Wisconsin will need to weigh in with approval before any planning or environmental study work can begin. The neighboring states share costs associated with the Blatnik and Bong bridges.MnDOT maintains the Blatnik and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation manages the Bong Bridge. MnDOTs 10-year plan showed District 1 project costs from 2019 to 2027 fluctuating between 70 million and 180 million annually. The figure spikes in 2028 to 323 million with the inclusion of the Blatnik Bridge project. MnDOT will proceed as scheduled with regular maintenance and inspections of the Blatnik Bridge. It will be the recipient of 9.1 million of maintenance painting and repairs in 2020 a follow-up to gusset plate reinforcement efforts from 2008 2012 and 2016.