Blatnik Bridge Archives

Superior Police Increasing Traffic Enforcement After Spike in Crashes this Year

Traffic crashes are up 25% this year in Superior and 18% nationwide in the first half of 2021.

December 7, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior Police Department is upping its officers on the streets in hopes of curbing a rise in traffic crashes this year. Traffic crashes are up 25% this year in Superior and 18% nationwide in the first half of 2021 — the largest 6-month increase that’s ever been tracked by the federal government. According to the department’s Public…

Blatnik Bridge Commute to Duluth Diverted for at Least a Year

Crews have also installed a temporary traffic light at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Railroad Street to help control the added traffic.

November 1, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Some big road closure signs are dotting the Blatnik Bridge as you drive into Duluth, as the Twin Ports Interchange or Can of Worms reconstruction project will divert traffic onto the Garfield Avenue exit for at least the next year. A big light-up sign greets drivers getting on the Blatnik in Superior, warning them of the big change…

Historic J.B. Ford Freighter Catches Fire in Duluth Scrapyard

Firefighters were able to knock down the flames within an hour, and no one was injured.

March 1, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A busy day for the Duluth Fire Department brought them to a fire aboard the century-old J.B. Ford freighter in the Duluth port Monday — and age seemed to work against the ship, its old bones proving to be easily flammable. The J.B. Ford is the oldest intact lake freighter still floating, launching in 1903 in Ohio. It…

Blatnik Bridge Maintenance Begins

Motorists can expect delays with lane closures and speed reductions while on the bridge during this work.

July 6, 2020

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. – Routine inspections of the Blatnik Bridge began on Monday morning. MNDot workers plan to do these inspections every Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. for the next few weeks. Crews are checking to make sure the structural integrity of the bridge is intact. Motorists can expect delays with lane closures and speed reductions while on the…

Small, Peaceful Protest In Superior As Businesses Board Up For Potential Unrest

A rumored protest taking over the Blatnik Bridge didn't happen.

June 2, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- At the corner of Belknap and Hammond in Superior Wednesday, a dozen or so young people peacefully held signs against the death of George Floyd and police brutality, cheered on by drivers honking their horns in support–amid rumors of protests and unrest in the city swirling for a few days. There was even talk of a protest overtaking…

Car on Fire on Blatnik Bridge in Superior

Crews responded, closed bridge causing heavy traffic.

July 22, 2019

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- On Monday afternoon traffic was backed up coming out of Superior on the Blatnik Bridge as a car was found on fire. Superior Fire and Police responded to the burning car. Crews were able to put out the fire. This happened right off the on–ramp to I–35, causing a standstill both down Hammond avenue and Second street. Crews…

At Home, At Rest, At Peace

Korean War Vet's Remains Returned to Superior for Burial

August 12, 2018

Arman Rahman,

Superior, WI- After 67 years missing, the remains of Korean War veteran Rufus Ketchum of Superior are finally back home, before officially being laid to rest. On Sunday the Blatnik Bridge carried more than just the cars riding between Duluth and Superior, it carried a fallen war hero home. The remains of Sergeant Rufus Lloyd Ketchum rode the bridge home for the…

Beefing Up Blatnik

UMD Civil Engineering Students Help Work on Blatnik Bridge

July 20, 2018

Arman Rahman,

Duluth, Minn.-Some Civil Engineering students from University of Minnesota Duluth got up close and personal with the Blatnik Bridge. Students teamed up with the Minnesota department of transportation and WSP consulting company to attach and test sensors on the underbelly of the bridge. The sensors will be used for a load test which measures how weight of heavy truck loads…

Northland Fall Colors From A Helicopter’s Perspective & Tours

Lake Superior Helicopters Took Us High Into The Sky On A Helicopter Tour Of The Twin Ports & Jay Cooke State Park

October 19, 2017

Brittney Merlot,

DULUTH, Minn – Flying High For Fall Colors! It’s a busy time of year at Lake Superior Helicopters as many people head up in the sky to the fall colors. As billions of trees pop yellow, red and orange against green pines, a unique perspective of the Northland’s changing terrain and lake, make flying high in the sky something special….

Blatnik Bridge

Superior Police Increasing Traffic Enforcement After Spike in Crashes this Year

Traffic crashes are up 25% this year in Superior and 18% nationwide in the first half of 2021.

Blatnik Bridge Commute to Duluth Diverted for at Least a Year

Crews have also installed a temporary traffic light at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Railroad Street to help control the added traffic.

Historic J.B. Ford Freighter Catches Fire in Duluth Scrapyard

Firefighters were able to knock down the flames within an hour, and no one was injured.

Blatnik Bridge Maintenance Begins

Motorists can expect delays with lane closures and speed reductions while on the bridge during this work.

Small, Peaceful Protest In Superior As Businesses Board Up For Potential Unrest

A rumored protest taking over the Blatnik Bridge didn't happen.

Car on Fire on Blatnik Bridge in Superior

Crews responded, closed bridge causing heavy traffic.

At Home, At Rest, At Peace

Korean War Vet's Remains Returned to Superior for Burial

Beefing Up Blatnik

UMD Civil Engineering Students Help Work on Blatnik Bridge

Northland Fall Colors From A Helicopter’s Perspective & Tours

Lake Superior Helicopters Took Us High Into The Sky On A Helicopter Tour Of The Twin Ports & Jay Cooke State Park

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Traffic crashes are up 25% this year in Superior and 18% nationwide in the first half of 2021.

Crews have also installed a temporary traffic light at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Railroad Street to help control the added traffic.

Firefighters were able to knock down the flames within an hour, and no one was injured.

Motorists can expect delays with lane closures and speed reductions while on the bridge during this work.

A rumored protest taking over the Blatnik Bridge didn't happen.

Crews responded, closed bridge causing heavy traffic.

Korean War Vet's Remains Returned to Superior for Burial

UMD Civil Engineering Students Help Work on Blatnik Bridge

Lake Superior Helicopters Took Us High Into The Sky On A Helicopter Tour Of The Twin Ports & Jay Cooke State Park

Severe Weather

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