Blatnik Bridge And Oliver Bridge To Close Or See Reduced Lanes As Bong Bridge Opens November 3-7

What's the old saying - something about one door closing and one door opening?  Well, how about one bridge opening and two bridges closing?

Just in time for the November 1 opening date of the Duluth-bound lanes of the Bong Bridge, the two other Twin Ports Saint Louis River crossings will see

The northbound Interstate-535/Blatnik Bridge over the St. Louis River between Minnesota and Wisconsin will undergo a routine bridge inspection Monday, November 3 through Friday, November 7.

Northbound/Duluth bound I-535 traffic will be restricted to a single lane from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The following ramps will close and be detoured on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Detour routes will be signed.

• The ramp from northbound I-535 to southbound I-35
• The ramp from northbound I-535 to northbound 53

All lanes will be open for the morning and evening peak travel times.

Motorists are asked to be patient and drive carefully near the work zone areas.

The southbound/Superior bound lanes will remain open.

The Blatnik Bridge undergoes a comprehensive inspection every two years to help ensure the bridge remains a reliable and safe freight movement and transportation route.

In addition, the Oliver Bridge will close during the same time frame for it's annual inspection by the CN Railway.   However, the closure will be limited to the daytime hours of 8:30 to 5:00 PM.  Inspection crews will post signs that alert drivers to the closures.