ST PAUL, Minn. — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $1.06 billion in federal funding to replace the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge between Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin.
“This is big news for Minnesota. This investment will make it possible for Minnesota and Wisconsin to rebuild a critical connection between our states that will foster regional economic growth, strengthen our national supply chains, and improve the safety and reliability of our transportation network,” Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement. “This is a project that will serve hundreds of communities between our states."
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said in the statement released by Walz's office that this is “a transformational opportunity” for both states in bringing a key piece of infrastructure into the 21st century.
“A new Blatnik Bridge means safer vehicle travel and better support for the billions of dollars in freight moving across the bridge each year,” Evers said.
The bridge is an important freight and commercial connection between the Duluth-Superior Twin Ports and serves more than 33,000 vehicles per day, according to the statement. It is jointly owned and managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
For more than 60 years, the bridge has linked Duluth and Superior via Interstate 535 and US 53.
It 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 — the statement said. The bridge replacement project will improve safety and accommodate oversize and overweight loads.
The total cost of rebuilding the bridge is estimated to be $1.8 billion, according to the statement. Each state committed $400 million toward the project last year. Design work for the project, which will determine specifications and the shape the final project, is expected to begin this year. Once a final design is selected, construction could begin as early as next year.
Behind the celebration of funding for the Blatnik Bridge came a minor political dust-up, which was no surprise in this contentious election year. Incumbent 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber left a post on his X (Twitter) account touting the funding package that paves the way for a new Twin Ports bridge.
"This is a HUGE win for #MN08 and I was proud to advocate for these funds!" Stauber posted.
Soon after, Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin sent out a news release accusing the congressman of trying to take credit for something that Stauber actually voted against.
"Pete Stauber is shamelessly trying to take credit for a project that is only possible because of a law he voted against," said DFL Chairman Ken Martin. “The Blatnik Bridge is getting funding because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that President Biden and Minnesota Democrats fought for – the same law that Pete Stauber voted against."
Martin went on to encourage 8th District voters to elect a member of Congress who will vote for common sense bipartisan legislation like the "Build Back Better" Act. Stauber's seat is up this November.
A records search shows Stauber did vote against the bill, which passed the House on Nov. 5, 2021.
“I will not be complicit in paving a destructive and irreversible path towards socialism… Make no mistake; a vote for this ‘infrastructure’ package is a vote for the reckless multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend spree. That’s why I voted NO,” Stauber said in a news release that followed the 2021 House vote.
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan was another who entered the political fray following Stauber's post.
"Guys, who's gonna tell Pete Stauber he voted against this bridge?" Flanagan quipped.
Gov. Walz clapped back even harder in his own X post.
"Mr. Stauber voted against every screw, steel beam, and concrete pier in this bridge. Luckily @POTUS worked with Stauber’s colleagues and got it done without him," Walz wrote.
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