Both Duluth-bound lanes of the Blatnik Bridge (Interstate 535/U.S. 53) closed at 9 a.m. today. They will remained closed for approximately three weeks as workers strengthen the structure's gusset plates. Traffic will be detoured to the Bong Bridge.
The project's contractor plans to work on the Blatnik six days a week, 10 hours a day during good weather to minimize the duration of the lane closures. One Superior-bound traffic lane will be open until all work is completed on the bridge.
Traffic on the Blatnik has been restricted since May 6, when one lane in each direction was closed to lessen the load on the 7,980-foot-long structure after engineering calculations and field inspections determined that gusset plates at several locations did not meet the bridge's load requirement.
The bridge was closed to Wisconsin-bound traffic on June 12 to allow workers to repair gusset plates under those lanes.
