The construction of the $1.4bn Blatnik Bridge replacement in Minnesota is advancing with JV contractor chosen for project. The Minnesota and Wisconsin transportation departments have named Ames-Kraemer Joint Venture II as preferred contractors for the project. The bridge is a vital freight and commuter link between Duluth, MInn. And Superior, Wis. Virginia-based global infrastructure provider Parsons Corp. will provide design and construction oversight contracts for the project.
Moreover, construction is slated to start in late 2026 and be completed in 2031. Parsons previously provided preliminary engineering design for bridge replacement. A public meeting will be held in early September to give an update on the project including details on the design of the new bridge, according to the transportation depts. MnDOT, which is overseeing the project, uses a best-value system for design-build projects. It combines a bidder’s technical score and price into a single adjusted score. The lowest adjusted score at project letting determines the winner.
Other Projects
Another monumental project that has made significant progress is the world’s largest wildlife crossing in California. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is scheduled to officially open and hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 2, 2026. The $114 million project, which spans the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, California, is nearing completion and is already teeming with native plant life and small wildlife.
Outlook on the Blatnik Bridge Replacement in Minnesota
The Ames-Kramer Joint Venture II’s bid was $930 million for the Blatnik Bridge replacement in Minnesota. The other firm that been shortlisted for the project was Lunda Construction. The new structure will be either a tied-arch or cable-stayed design, officials said previously. “The primary challenges on the Blatnik Bridge replacement project will be traffic and stakeholder coordination. It also includes working with a shorter construction season due to the cold climate,” said Vincent Gastoni, principal project manager for Parsons.
The project also calls for construction of an 8,300-ft-long structure to replace the existing bridge on the same alignment. “This is a vital piece of infrastructure between Minnesota and Wisconsin, relied on by thousands of drivers every day,” Gastoni said. MnDOT and WisDOT began developing the Blatnik Bridge replacement project in 2020. The two states evaluated more than 25 design alternatives and narrowed the list to five for further review before choosing to follow the existing alignment with the addition of a shared-use path.
Project Overview
- Project Value: $1.4B
- Location: Duluth, Minnesota – Superior, Wisconsin
- Owners: MnDOT and WisDOT
- Contractor: Ames-Kraemer Joint Venture II
- Oversight: Parsons Corp.
- Status: Contractor selected
Scope
- Replace existing Blatnik Bridge
- Build new 8,300-ft bridge on current route
- Tied-arch or cable-stayed design planned
- Shared-use path included
- Supports freight and commuter traffic
- Construction: 2026–2031
Key Benefits
- Improves regional transport link
- Replaces aging infrastructure
- Enhances safety and reliability
- Supports economic activity
- Adds pedestrian and cycling access
Key Challenges
- Traffic management during construction
- Coordination between stakeholders
- Short construction season due to weather
- Minimizing disruption to road users
Procurement
- Winning bid: $930M
- Runner-up: Lunda Construction
- Design-build delivery method used
- Best-value selection process applied
Outlook
- Major project milestone achieved
- Public update planned for September
- Construction starts late 2026
- Completion expected in 2031
- Long-term transport and economic benefits anticipated
Leave a Reply