The executive order calls for the pausing of the disbursement of funds the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
DULUTH, Minn. — Funding to replace a busy, deteriorating bridge connecting Duluth and Superior is in jeopardy after a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The Blatnik Bridge is crossed by more than 33,000 vehicles every day, but heavy trucks are barred because of its decaying condition and that has caused lengthy detours, the Associated Press reported last January. Without additional federal dollars, the bridge would have to shut down by 2030, according to the Biden administration.
Funding to replace the bridge is coming from $1 billion in grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding is also coming from both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Phased construction is scheduled to start next year, according to MnDOT, with the design being created now.
“For decades, people talked about replacing this bridge, but it never …