The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin

03/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/20/2026 11:12

ICYMI: Gov. Evers Celebrates Release of Federal Funds for Blatnik Bridge Project

Press Release: ICYMI: Gov. Evers Celebrates Release of Federal Funds for Blatnik Bridge Project

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 03/20/2026 08:01 AM CDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
ICYMI: Gov. Evers Celebrates Release of Federal Funds for Blatnik Bridge Project
After months of waiting and after recent correspondence from Wisconsin and Minnesota urging the release of funding, USDOT has finally released over $1 billion promised for critical Blatnik Bridge reconstruction project
MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers today, after months of unnecessary delays by the Trump Administration, celebrated the release of over $1 billion in federal funding that had been promised by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for the critical reconstruction project of the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge between Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota. The governor's statement comes as, earlier this month, Gov. Evers sent a letter to former Wisconsin Congressman and now USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy, urging immediate action to prevent uncertainty and potential delays for the critical restoration. The governor's letter came just days after similar outreach sent by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), which stated that delaying the release of this critical funding is a "tool for political retribution" being used against states in the region by the Trump Administration.

"The Blatnik Bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure for both Wisconsin and Minnesota, and I'm excited that the full allotment of funding promised for this project is finally out the door so we can get started on the important upgrades this structure needs to support the millions of travelers who rely on it every day," said Gov. Evers. "I have been proud to champion this project for several years, and thanks to our work with Sen. Baldwin and our friends in Minnesota, we're getting it done and getting it done right, and we couldn't be more grateful for their continued partnership. This funding is absolutely essential in our work to build a safer, more efficient, and more reliable infrastructure for the next generation and to ensure that the many folks, families, and businesses across the upper Midwest that rely on the bridge can get to where they need to go safely and efficiently."

Prior to USDOT's full release of federal funds for the restoration of the Blatnik Bridge, Gov. Evers warned that continued delays would have forced a more prolonged bridge closure and raised overall project costs. Inflation alone on a project of this size was estimated to cost $80 million more per year of delay, not accounting for other rework and rescheduling that would be required.

Built in 1961, more than 33,000 vehicles cross the John A. Blatnik Bridge each day, and each year, more than 265,000 trucks transporting nearly $4 billion in goods pass over the bridge. Many businesses across the upper Midwest rely on the bridge to reach the Port of Duluth-Superior, the largest U.S. port on the Great Lakes. The bridge is also one of the largest marine links for U.S. trade with Canada, the top trade partner of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the United States.

Unfortunately, the Blatnik Bridge has reached the end of its service life, and after years of advocacy, in January 2024, Gov. Evers and Sen. Baldwin celebrated the more than $1 billion federal grant jointly awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Minnesota Department of Transportation to replace the aging bridge. In addition, Wisconsin and Minnesota each committed $400 million in program funding toward the restoration project. Construction for the project is expected to begin fall 2026 and employ 1,100 workers annually.

"On the Wisconsin side, WisDOT expresses its gratitude to Gov. Evers, Sen. Baldwin, and everyone who worked in earnest to move this grant agreement forward and get this critical project obligated," said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. "We now look to the future, as the states will begin constructing a new bridge that will continue to serve as a vital connection between Superior and Duluth, and continue to carry the billions of dollars in freight brought through the largest port on the Great Lakes each year."

Additionally, last August, Gov. Evers secured HUBZone designation of Census Tract 310.01 in Douglas County to help provide local businesses with additional resources to remain competitive during the replacement of the bridge and offset anticipated economic losses, as well as assist businesses in the future after the completion of the new bridge and the new opportunities that may come with the upgraded infrastructure.
An online version of this release is available here.
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Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702
Press Office Email: [email protected]
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The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin published this content on March 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 20, 2026 at 17:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]