[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6121978,"mediaKeyId","2697139-0c31f1d53529ef6c0e39acb5717b84aa","parentId",2697139,"title","State engineers outline Blatnik Bridge rebuild timeline, traffic mitigation and community outreach","audioSeconds",3120,"startMs",60000,"endMs",3180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2697139-0c31f1d53529ef6c0e39acb5717b84aa&start=60&end=3180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2697139-0c31f1d53529ef6c0e39acb5717b84aa/thumbnail_60000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121978/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/State-engineers-outline-Blatnik-Bridge-rebuild-timeline-traffic-mitigation-and-community-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121978-525a79ef3bc3a44c760171d1bdedd3d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180650&Signature=jFA5tOU6kLT4XnsvkGwxnetNIOIgOgeZeeALZMjy~VWisRpA5ATsgbtmyY~cnA0fqY5wcdd0fOrItrGVHFKsewCiWj3sVGjcOjzvDpr0BLMbZQJwDqL5qNvUQR2-VU7epk~9K-hupGewuD04-VAyGRkFK7lXkn6XkRYD1EBVJJhbI6fnN2RrQGSQ2EmsDmVw7s8-XJ74vD0VYr50JiwMZzJXg0Wn8TY-yaVzgSrYFtzhr955-IWmoWw~d2k4EaL39MVHYmcOtMUkO6a7SoEbOGoUJULp4KnNSDzgrZda2CZJsTAZNE0QogPQCOgo5e5aHlDPJedPepd6Htersr7LUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Superior, WI","date","2025-03-19T14:02:31Z","article","State and contractor-design staff gave the Superior Common Council a progress update March 18 on the Blatnik Bridge replacement, outlining a November 2025 release of the request for proposals, a June 2026 proposal period and an anticipated contractor mobilization for temporary work in August or September 2026.

The project team described two remaining bridge-type candidates — a tied-arch and a cable-stay design — and said the final selection will balance initial construction costs and long-term maintenance expenses once contractors submit proposals and procurement plans.

“We do know the bridge is gonna be closed for a significant amount of time,” said Beth Cunningham, a project representative from the bridge design team. She and other staff said the project is a design‑build delivery, meaning contractors will complete final designs while they build, which shortens the schedule but leaves some structural choices to bidders.

Why this matters: the replacement will require extended closures of the existing structure and reroute regional traffic. The project team is negotiating wetland and Coast Guard permits, adjusting freeway designations on the Wisconsin side and coordinating with the city on sidewalk, lighting and sewer work tied to the interchange redesign.

Traffic mitigation and local work

Project staff outlined corridor-level traffic changes planned before and during the main closure. Stephanie King, a project traffic lead, said contractors will be required to complete a package of local improvements and signal adjustments before the bridge structure is closed.

Planned and proposed measures described to the council include: temporary signals and turn lanes on Winter Street and at Grand and Catland; a left‑turn bay on the Susquehanna ramp under the Bong Bridge; closing some left-turn bays on Belknap (between Banks and Ogden) to increase through-lane capacity; and adding or adjusting signals that will be coordinated and, where appropriate, interconnected with railroad crossing logic so traffic is not trapped on the tracks.

“Winter Street will be signed and set up as a priority alternate east–west corridor,” King said, describing contractor responsibilities before full closure.

Project staff said a package of city road repairs and pre‑works — mill-and-overlay on East Second and other localized concrete repairs — will be completed in 2026 so alternate routes are in better condition when larger detours are used.

Public safety and emergency response planning

Council members pressed the project team on neighborhood cut‑through traffic, speed and emergency response during the closure. Project staff said they have scheduled separate meetings with regional EMS, hospitals and first responders and that a dedicated EMS tabletop is planned “in a week or so” to craft response plans while the bridge is closed.

“We’re going to be working with EMS on a larger regional conversation about what happens during construction,” the project representative said, adding that specific operational plans will emerge after those meetings.

Local concerns and outreach

Several councilors and a downtown business representative asked for more frequent and targeted public outreach. Dave Miller, who identified himself as representing several downtown Superior businesses including Northwest Outlet and Super One, urged the DOT to re-evaluate no‑left‑turn proposals at Belknap and Banks to avoid diverting too much traffic onto Tower Avenue and local streets.

“There's a tremendous amount of traffic that's gonna be flowing through that area,” Miller said during the public comment period and suggested signal adjustments and alternative holding locations to reduce gridlock.

Project staff said they will hold additional public meetings (including an outreach meeting focused on Winter Street in May) and will meet one‑on‑one with downtown businesses in late April to discuss localized adjustments. They also said monthly coordination meetings with city staff will continue through design and construction.

Design, workforce and schedule highlights

- RFP release: November 2025; proposal period November 2025–June 2026.
- Contractor mobilization for temporary works: targeted August–September 2026.
- Delivery method: design‑build; bidders will score on criteria beyond low bid.
- Peak on‑site workforce estimated at about 50 workers during major construction.
- Two bridge-type options remain: tied‑arch (lower initial cost, higher long‑term painting/maintenance) and cable‑stay (higher initial cost, lower long‑term painting/maintenance); the final choice will depend on contractor proposals and life‑cycle cost analysis.

Project staff urged residents to consult project web pages, sign up for email updates and use proposed alternate corridors when possible after outreach events begin.

Looking ahead

Council members asked the DOT to return with further details on EMS planning, neighborhood speed mitigation and final signal‑timing strategies as the project moves into procurement and the contractor-driven final-design phase.

The city and state will continue monthly coordination meetings that project staff said will feed contractor specifications and the final phasing plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council Meeting, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","State and contractor-design staff told Superior Common Council on March 18 that the Blatnik Bridge project will enter a formal procurement in November 2025, that design‑build contractors will develop the final bridge design, and that a lengthy closure requiring multiple detours and corridor upgrades is expected.","taxTitle","Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin","taxId",69153,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121968,"Votes at a glance: committee appointments, department confirmations, wetland mitigation credit and revenue bonds approved",4092,3504000,7596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2697139-0c31f1d53529ef6c0e39acb5717b84aa&start=3504&end=7596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2697139-0c31f1d53529ef6c0e39acb5717b84aa/thumbnail_3504000.jpg","/articles/6121968/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-appointments-department-confirmations-wetland-mitigation-credit-and-revenue-bonds-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121968-3c7bcfad43544c5f6ad9269101599897/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180650&Signature=etTNNHF23oY7G~gLh4HxHPvJU6Tbm0lSrj3UkOgkubUtS0LfFtuNg3pH5xDW~IQm-DFv3nkIEfcw1Z~T6JODwGOmoBod4s1mPA0ODnCUGKOYnDSDs~rjVrbGlSfXdm~d4lHWVK6jW8H7jsudX8v7KoePcOS03MMSwbWKITMGy1qKzqY3ad1oGcRYIGCmBi9dki5MGkfyXXsvuNaj4EUllCTn~zWLkg7pzoY8GqyjpBtkKUUnwWvqVJTbHAC-g4BDMLvh1XeOiONFhS8T6aQLPHnsmPV2sMZ5DVMVgLeGQHMrmxnZckJDt9sybkGX7xJZPZiQO2YhUER9iS1Xu6Dw2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Superior Common Council took a series of procedural and financial votes on March 18, approving committee appointments, department head confirmations, public works recommendations and revenue bond authorizations.

Appointments and confirmations

- Lori Lang was appointed to the Mayor’s Commission on Communities of Color for a three‑year term ending March 2028.
- Robert Finstead and David Strum were reappointed to the Assessment Board of Review for five‑year terms ending March 2030.
- The council confirmed Bridget Maruska as the city’s parks, recreation and forestry director. The motion to confirm Maruska was moved by Councilor Deans and seconded by Councilor Ludwig; the confirmation passed on voice vote.

Public works committee items

The council approved the Public Works Committee report and several recommendations that the committee had forwarded after its March 6 meeting. Highlights included:

- Douglas County request: the committee approved selling up to one wetland mitigation bank credit to Douglas County, allowing the county to use a city‑run mitigation credit at a substantial discount compared with private-market prices; the committee noted an approximate savings to Douglas County of $130,000 compared with the private market. The committee also approved related wetland disturbance permits for a business relocation affected by bridge construction.

- A set of annual contracts and an updated enforcement posture on the city’s grass/weeds ordinance (Section 104.260) tied to the committee’s “Slow‑Mo May” review were approved; the council directed staff to reinstate enforcement procedures in line with the recently revised resolution and to provide guidance on pollinator‑friendly lawn options.

Finance and bonds

- The council authorized the issuance and sale of sewerage system revenue bonds (Series 2025A) of up to $836,253 to fund sanitary and storm sewer work on Hammond Avenue. The finance director and staff explained that part of the loan package is structured to allow principal‑forgiveness distributions as the project meets state program milestones.

- The council also authorized stormwater system revenue bonds (Series 2025B) of up to $1,360,344; both bond actions were approved on voice votes.

Personnel

- The council confirmed David Pollock to the Environmental Services Division as Collection Systems Engineer and Operations Manager; the appointment requires council confirmation because Pollock will serve in a supervisory capacity.

Why this matters: the actions clear several administrative and financing steps needed to advance capital work in the public works program and set staffing needed to operate and maintain city utilities and parks. The wetland credit decision also offered a subsidized mechanism to help Douglas County use state grant funds for a highway project.

What passed (summary)

- Committee appointments: approved (voice votes).
- Confirmation: Bridget Maruska, parks director — approved (voice vote).
- Public Works Committee recommendations including wetland mitigation credit sale — approved (voice vote).
- Sewerage system revenue bond resolution, up to $836,253 — approved.
- Stormwater system revenue bond resolution, up to $1,360,344 — approved.
- Confirmation of David Pollock (Environmental Services) — approved.

Council adjourned after approving the items and scheduled the next regular meeting for Wednesday, April 2 (post‑election date).","The Superior Common Council approved three committee appointments, confirmed a parks director, approved several public works committee recommendations including a subsidized wetland mitigation credit sale to Douglas County and authorized sewer and stormwater revenue bonds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121972,"Council approves Connect Superior budget and wholesale contracts; city expects first neighborhood service this spring",1481,4299000,5780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2697139-0c31f1d53529ef6c0e39acb5717b84aa&start=4299&end=5780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2697139-0c31f1d53529ef6c0e39acb5717b84aa/thumbnail_4299000.jpg","/articles/6121972/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-Connect-Superior-budget-and-wholesale-contracts-city-expects-first-neighborhood-service-this-spring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121972-e75a06fe1b5800e8f9673c7a7d95079a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180650&Signature=gG5jhJabXWyZYFjPeuNjvMT0EB5-LFkRoRiJatrDyDfINuVb1AJ2JRhj77p8gQ6Ik8~bjYUmG0keuI~apbDmU5KDcR6SdUbj5FyxR4YigaO19D61LEUhTrRnbp1znWHoj5K~VVFyaZuh1vBpVuAiPEPTCShtrcCamtOe3w9PBtPJgeXRXNvy~ERYVeKlw81zJX-2FCpv252YL2GKlon26EFyAWIIJ0HnA1JRGaMgzxDQZARq~7AAK8hbNu1jjmnl091xo9cz0y9fbLqv9lhdA2U0xGqvcIrWwdQE8in4GSirx-6diXy-Cu7gy6rCY5lLs6w-ZIY3ReBX1B1zCg4fLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Superior Common Council voted March 18 to approve an updated Connect Superior budget, wholesale contracts with two internet service providers and a network operations contract, clearing key steps before the municipal fiber pilot goes live.

The council approved the updated annual Connect Superior budget and set wholesale rates for ISPs at three tiers: $35, $40 and $45, down from higher draft rates discussed earlier. The motion to adopt the budget was made by Councilor Allen and seconded by Councilor Ludwig; the measure passed on a voice vote.

“We had more wiggle in our budget than previously expected,” the broadband manager told the council, noting that negotiations for the network‑operations contract reduced recurring operating costs by about $100,000 annually and allowed staff to lower wholesale rates to improve adoption.

Wholesale provider contracts and operations

The council separately approved wholesale broadband service agreements with Duluthian Networks LLC and Advanced Stream Broadband LLC and awarded the network operations center contract to Win LLC.

- Duluthian Networks LLC: motion by Councilor Moffitt, second by Councilor Ludwig; motion carried.
- Advanced Stream Broadband LLC: motion by Councilor Allen, second by Councilor Ludwig; motion carried.
- Network operations (Win LLC): motion by Councilor Holmes, second by Councilor Ludwig; motion carried. The initial Win LLC fee is $16,200 with recurring monthly charges of $6,210.

Project timeline and take‑rates

Project staff and multiple councilors discussed timing and take‑rate projections. Project leads said the system’s core network elements are online and that Nokia equipment and final provisioning work are scheduled “at the end of the month,” with an internal target of mid‑May to begin turning up the pilot neighborhood. Staff suggested that some serviceable portions could be available to customers by mid‑June, though availability will depend on ISP onboarding and household drop installations.

“Now that we have the NOC and the contracts in place, mid‑May is when things should begin firing up,” the broadband manager said.

Retail pricing and competitiveness

Councilors repeatedly asked about retail prices for consumers. Mitchell Shook of Advanced Stream said retail offers vary by market and promotional pricing, and suggested retail prices could be roughly $10 a month above wholesale in some cases. Patrick Malley of Duluthian Networks said introductory offers, free routers or temporarily low prices are possible and that retail pricing will also depend on the ISPs’ upstream costs.

“There's a range and ultimately it'll depend on what our costs are, and those are not completely determined,” Shook said, adding that he had offered gigabit service at promotional prices as low as $9–$10 a month in other markets for introductory periods.

Public comment and local endorsements

Several speakers from the region addressed the council during the item. Suzanne Herstead, mayor of Rice Lake, and business leaders including Kim Parmeter (Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce) and local residents offered endorsements for Duluthian Networks, describing the company’s prior work in nearby communities and urging the council to approve local wholesale options.

Why this matters: the city is building an open‑access fiber utility that will wholesale dark‑fiber or lit services to private ISPs; the council’s approvals finalize the local pricing and operator relationships that will shape retail availability and competition for consumers.

What the council approved (high level)

- Updated Connect Superior budget, with wholesale rates set at three tiers (motion Allen; second Ludwig) — approved.
- Wholesale broadband service agreement with Duluthian Networks LLC (motion Moffitt; second Ludwig) — approved.
- Wholesale broadband service agreement with Advanced Stream Broadband LLC (motion Allen; second Ludwig) — approved.
- Network operations contract (Win LLC) — approved; initial and recurring charges recorded.

Next steps

Staff said they will finalize ISP onboarding, begin household drop scheduling with the city’s contractor (Hanco in the transcript) and open lists for customers as neighborhoods become serviceable. Councilors asked to be included in upcoming late‑April meetings with downtown businesses and requested regular updates as the pilot progresses.

The city projected break‑even on the enterprise enterprise fund in later years; staff continued to note the schedule and retail pricing depend on adoption and competitive responses in the market.","Council approved an updated Connect Superior budget, wholesale agreements with two ISPs and a network operations contract; project leaders said the city will begin turning up pilot neighborhoods in mid‑May with portions available to customers by June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State engineers outline Blatnik Bridge rebuild timeline, traffic mitigation and community outreach

Votes at a glance: committee appointments, department confirmations, wetland mitigation credit and revenue bonds approved

Council approves Connect Superior budget and wholesale contracts; city expects first neighborhood service this spring