How many times have you crested Thompson Hill after dusk to appreciate the beauty of the cities of Duluth and Superior laid out in front of you?  Part of that beauty is the lights of our cities and the iconic views of our bridges lit up in their glory.  That may soon be a memory according to our TV partners, the Northland's News Center.   There are two meetings coming up to fill you in on the details.

The Blatnik Bridge may soon go dark at night all in an effort save money.  MNDOT announced the possible move during a routine public meeting focusing on a maintenance project involving the bridge.

According to Business North, the bridge has 220 decorative 50-watt lights bulbs that were estimated to cost about $40 dollars a day back in 2006.  MNDOT says the lighting will not be replaced as part of the project that includes steel and rail repair replacement along with a paint job.

Two public meetings in Duluth and Superior have been set up to discuss the upcoming Blatnik Bridge rehabilitation project in May.

Denfield High School, Media Center, Room 1014, 401 North 44th Avenue West, Duluth,Wednesday, Feb. 29, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Presentation at 7 p.m.

Or, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Headquarters,  1701 North 4th Street, Superior, Thursday, March 1, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Presentation at 7 p.m.

These meetings will highlight the work being done on the bridge, the project schedule and traffic impacts.  The rehabilitation project includes steel and rail repair and replacement, painting and replacement of expansion joints. The proposed work will require that the decorative outline lighting be removed from the bridge. The lighting will not be replaced as part of the project.

The project is scheduled to begin in May 2012 and be completed by fall 2013. Funding for this $12 million project is being shared between the Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of transportation.

 

 

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