Governor Evers approves Bong Bridge rehabilitation project

Work includes painting spot locations, making concrete surface repairs

Release date: July 14, 2025

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed a $6.38 million contract with prime contractor Lunda Construction Co. of Black River Falls for the rehabilitation of the Bong Bridge, which carries US 2 over the St. Louis River between Superior and Duluth, MN. Construction is scheduled to slowly start Monday, July 21.

Opened to traffic in 1984, the bridge is in need of maintenance. To address this, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is planning to:

• Paint spot locations of the existing steel arch structure of the center span
• Make concrete surface repairs at spot locations of the two piers that support the center steel arch structure
• Remove and replace the three rubber strip seals of the center tied arch
• Replace street lighting on the Minnesota half of the structure, including on the Minnesota ramps
• Replace street lighting on the Wisconsin approach
• Apply a concrete sealer to the entire deck, including the Minnesota ramps
• Place new pavement markings on the entire bridge, Minnesota ramps and Wisconsin approach

During construction, US 2 will remain open to at least one lane of through traffic in each direction. However, the ramps on the Minnesota side of the bridge – westbound US 2 to northbound I-35, southbound I-35 to eastbound US 2 and northbound I-35 to eastbound US 2 – will be closed at various times to install new lighting, place the concrete deck sealer and paint. In addition, sidewalk across the bridge is expected to be closed for approximately two to three weeks.

Construction is scheduled for completion in late November, more than a year before the Blatnik Bridge, which carries US 53 and I-535 across the St. Louis River between Superior and Duluth, is anticipated to be closed to traffic and replaced.

For more information, visit the project’s construction website.

Motorists are reminded that using handheld cell phones in Wisconsin work zones is illegal. Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on driving.