Superior-bound Blatnik Bridge lanes to close on Monday

Talk about it

One final reminder to people who use the Blatnik Bridge to travel between Duluth and Superior: Starting Monday the Superior-bound lanes will close and the Duluth-bound lanes will reopen as a two-year rehabilitation project enters its next phase.

The Superior-bound lanes are slated to close Monday afternoon and remain closed until Oct. 19, with the Bong Bridge as the alternate route. And while the Duluth-bound lanes will reopen on Monday, sporadic single-lane closures are possible through mid-October, the Minnesota Department of Transportation reported.

The work on the Blatnik Bridge, which carries Interstate 535 traffic, includes repairing and strengthening gusset plates, and replacing the concrete rails with thinner, lighter versions; that work is aimed at improving the span’s load capacity. Other work includes painting the main span where road salt and spray can cause corrosion; replacing expansion joints; and replacing the decorative lighting on the bridge.

An open house to discuss new lighting options is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday in conference rooms A and B at the MnDOT district office in Duluth, 1123 Mesaba Ave. Presentations about the lighting alternatives are scheduled for 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Work on the bridge is scheduled to wind down for the season in October, when all lanes are scheduled to reopen. Work will resume again in May 2013.

Tags: news, superior, transportation, updates, duluth, construction