Bong Bridge rehabilitation project start date pushed to August

Work includes road resurfacing and reconfiguring intersection to reduce crashes

Release date: July 21, 2025

Originally scheduled for this month, the start of a rehabilitation of the Bong Bridge, which carries US 2 over the St. Louis River between Superior and Duluth, MN, has been pushed back to the week of Aug. 4.

The contractor will put traffic control in place on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 4 and 5, and start work on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Opened to traffic in 1984, the Bong Bridge needs 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 early December.

Lunda Construction Co. of Black River Falls in the prime contractor on the $6.38 million project.

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.