MNDOT: No Travel Advised On Blatnik Bridge + Bong Bridge, Other Major Roadways

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising no travel on either the Blatnik Bridge or Bong Bridge as well as all major highways around the area Thursday evening, including US 53, and US 2 between Proctor and Saginaw. Many other roads, like I-35, are snow covered and there are multiple spin-outs. You can see the latest conditions here. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph accompanied with heavy and blowing snow are leading to dangerous road conditions around the area.

These no travel advised messages reinforce what Duluth city officials have said about not traveling unless absolutely necessary. Residual salt and sand on the roadways from this winter was removed before this storm showed up in the forecast, so road surfaces are untreated, and can be slipperier than a normal winter storm.

Wind conditions are expected to calm down some overnight Thursday night, but snow will continue into the day on Friday.