Blatnik Bridge Sweeping Project Scheduled For July 1

Crews with the Minnesota Department of Transportation will be sweeping debris from storm drains and the roadway on the Blatnik Bridge on Wednesday, July 1 between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Motorists will encounter alternating lane closures as crews work their way across the bridge in a continually moving operation. Both the north and south-bound lanes will be affected.  Traffic delays are expected.

“We don’t like to cause traffic problems on the Blatnik while the Bong Bridge is under construction,” said Gary Wright, MnDOT Duluth bridge supervisor. “But we just can’t wait any longer. The drains need to be cleaned for the safety of motorists on the bridge.”

Wright added that if the drains are not cleaned, rain water could backup onto the bridge deck and cause vehicle hydroplaning.  During a recent heavy rain, there were a lot of reports on social media of deep standing water on the Blatnik Bridge.