Duluth's Blatnik Bridge

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I would prefer a cable-stayed bridge, since it looks better aesthetically to me. However, since the existing bridge is a tiered-arch bridge (like the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee), I suspect the DOT will go with that design.

A lesser consideration, but tiered-arch would also better fit the aesthetic of the other existing bridges in the area.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

The tentative design for the new bridge will be released at a joint MnDOT/WisDOT open house in Superior on Wednesday evening August 12.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDOT/bulletins/42278df

[TheHighwayMan3561]

The design will tentatively be another tiered-arch that's somewhat more minimalist than the existing structure. It will also appear to have a pedestrian and bike rest/overlook plaza in the center section.

Photos will come when MnDOT officially posts the renderings, since right now all I can find were screencaps from local news stations that were at the open house.

[Great Lakes Roads]

The design will tentatively be another tiered-arch that's somewhat more minimalist than the existing structure. It will also appear to have a pedestrian and bike rest/overlook plaza in the center section.

Photos will come when MnDOT officially posts the renderings, since right now all I can find were screencaps from local news stations that were at the open house.

Looks like a little longer main span (720'). I do approve the new bridge design!

Bridge closure is tentatively scheduled for February/March 2027, and October 31, 2031, is the tentative reopening date (~4.5 years closure).

[triplemultiplex]

Don't know why I assumed they'd just build a new bridge next to the old one to avoid a multi-year closure.
 
Looks pretty sweet tho.  Good choice to add an oreboat to the rendering.

[Plutonic Panda]

Don't know why I assumed they'd just build a new bridge next to the old one to avoid a multi-year closure.
 
Looks pretty sweet tho.  Good choice to add an oreboat to the rendering.

I actually don't mind when they just rebuild it on the original alignment and keeps the path straighter.

[Rothman]

Don't know why I assumed they'd just build a new bridge next to the old one to avoid a multi-year closure.
 
Looks pretty sweet tho.  Good choice to add an oreboat to the rendering.

I actually don't mind when they just rebuild it on the original alignment and keeps the path straighter.

Route's not that straight to begin with.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Thinking about it now, the design resembles the TH 77/Cedar Ave bridges over the Minnesota River, though those are dual-span.

[on_wisconsin]

Reminds me of a modern Hoan Bridge.

[The Ghostbuster]

The Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge will get a lot of usage as the main detour for the Blatnik Bridge (the Bong Bridge opened 20 days after I was born). I wonder if anyone will divert to the Oliver Bridge (STH 105/MN 39), or the Biauswah Bridge (MN 23 segment in Wisconsin)?

[on_wisconsin]

[Revive 755]

Don't know why I assumed they'd just build a new bridge next to the old one to avoid a multi-year closure.

Because a lot of places probably wouldn't tolerate a planned 4.5 year full closure (and would probably have it as a fatal flaw in the alternative screening process)?

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I have thought about the odd situation of how they just rebuilt the 35/535 interchange in Duluth for 4 years, only to now render the 535 leg functionally useless for half a decade.

Necessary? Yes. Ideal? No.

[The Ghostbuster]

Perhaps they should have reconstructed them both at the same time.

[Echostatic]

The Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge will get a lot of usage as the main detour for the Blatnik Bridge (the Bong Bridge opened 20 days after I was born). I wonder if anyone will divert to the Oliver Bridge (STH 105/MN 39), or the Biauswah Bridge (MN 23 segment in Wisconsin)?

I'm sure some people will every now and then, but it's hard for me to imagine a trip that would have originally used the Blatnik where those bridges would be a preferable detour to the Bong. If you're going through Oliver why would you have gone all the way up there?

[LilianaUwU]

From the makers of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter: I Can't Believe It's Not Another Cable Stayed Bridge!

[froggie]

Don't know why I assumed they'd just build a new bridge next to the old one to avoid a multi-year closure.

As I recall from the alternatives study, the biggest hiccup with building adjacent was on the Wisconsin side, where it would have permanently closed one of the two slips next to the Wisconsin approach.  That was deemed a fatal flaw.