WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that she has successfully pushed U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy to release the more than $1 billion for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project. Baldwin has championed the reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge project, including leading her colleagues in calling on Secretary Duffy to release this funding just two weeks ago.
“There is no good reason these funds should have been held up in the first place, and I am glad we forced the Trump Administration to do right by Wisconsin. Rebuilding this bridge will mean that billions of dollars’ worth of products can get to market efficiently, families can get to work on time, and millions of travelers get to their destinations safely,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin’s economy and the safety of families across the Midwest can’t wait any longer for this bridge to be rebuilt – so let’s get to work.”
Earlier in the month, Senator Baldwin led Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in calling on Secretary Duffy to release the $1.05 billion, as further delay could result in increased costs for the project. Additionally, the call came as the Trump Administration has attempted to illegally cut funding for infrastructure projects as a tool for political retribution on other states and threatened to block the opening of a bridge between Michigan and Ontario last month.
The funding for the bridge replacement comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Baldwin voted for, and all of Wisconsin’s Congressional Republicans voted against it. The Blatnik Bridge is a vital connection between Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, with over 33,000 vehicles passing through daily and 265,000 trucks transporting nearly $4 billion in goods annually.
An online version of this release is available here.
