Location
The Bong Bridge carries US 2 over the St. Louis River, connecting the cities of Superior, WI and Duluth, MN.
Overview
Opened to traffic in 1984, the Bong Bridge has some deficiencies that need to be addressed before the structure is used as a detour route during the replacement of the Blatnik Bridge, which carries US 53 and I-535 across the St. Louis River. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation proposed project includes:
- Performing spot painting on the main span of the tied-arch bridge.
- Making concrete surface repairs to the bridge abutments.
- Placing a concrete sealer on the bridge deck.
- Replacing the rubber strip seal membranes on the main span's joints.
- Replacing light poles and bases on the Minnesota half of the bridge, Minnesota on- and off-ramps and the Wisconsin approach.
Schedule
Construction currently is scheduled in 2025.
Traffic Impacts
During construction, US 2 will remain open to traffic, but work will be staged.
- A minimum of one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained.
- The on- and off-ramps on the Minnesota side of the bridge will be closed, with traffic detoured during various stages of work.
- The sidewalk on the bridge will be closed for two to three weeks while the outer traffic lanes are closed for structure work.
Project Document
Contacts
Phil Keppers
WisDOT Northwest Region Project Manager
(715) 395-3027
philip.keppers@dot.wi.gov
Jeff Olson
WisDOT Northwest Region Project Supervisor
(715) 395-3032
jeffrey.olson@dot.wi.gov
Christena T. O'Brien
WisDOT Northwest Region Communications Manager
(715) 833-9814, (715) 828-9471
christena.obrien@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
Northwest Region, Superior office
1701 N. 4th St.
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 392-7925, (800) 590-1868
nwr.dtsd@dot.wi.gov