Projects Under Review:
I-535 Blatnik Bridge Project
The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) has received correspondence from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding a proposed bridge replacement between St. Louis County, Minnesota and Douglas County, Wisconsin.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) are proposing replacing the John A. Blatnik Bridge on I-535, which connects Duluth Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The project also includes reconstructing an interchange in Superior that routes I-535 to US 53, with local connections to Hammond Avenue and WIS 35.
USACE and the US Coast Guard (USCG) are reviewing the project for federal regulations, including Section 10 and Section 404 permits, Section 408 Approval, and a bridge permit. USACE and USCG provided a joint public notice on February 14, 2025.
The project would permanently discharge fill material into 3.09 acres of wetlands and 1.37 acres of the St. Louis River and Bay and temporarily discharge fill material into 7.51 acres of wetlands and 6.43 acres of the St. Louis River and Bay. Permanent discharges would result from constructing new bridge piers, pier protection, a maintenance road on Connor’s Point, and improvements to roadway approaches. All fill material utilized for the project would be generated on site or obtained from a licensed commercial source. Excavation to remove contaminated material may be required if encountered during construction. Federal and state compensatory wetland mitigation requirements would be fulfilled by utilizing wetland mitigation bank credits. Additional information on the project can be found on the
project website.
The project is subject to review for federal consistency under the enforceable policies of the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP). Generally, federal consistency requires that federal actions that will affect coastal uses or resources be consistent with the enforceable policies of a state's coastal management program. The state’s enforceable policies are included within the
WCMP’s Specific State Coastal Policies. (Please note that not all of the Specific State Coastal Polices are enforceable policies.) For additional information on the proposed project and federal consistency, contact
federalconsistency@wisconsin.gov.
Comments should be
submitted through this form. Please select “Other” from the drop-down menu. Comments will be accepted through May 23, 2025.
WCMP will host a virtual public hearing regarding federal consistency and the project on May 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM. If you intend to join the hearing, WCMP requests that you
please fill out this form.
May 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Public Hearing: Blatnik Bridge Project
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 234 691 135 149 2
Passcode: eR3TH7m9
Dial in by phone
+1 608-571-2209,,445762311# United States, Madison
Phone conference ID: 445 762 311#
Other Federal Actions
To submit comments on other federal actions undergoing review for consistency under the polices of the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), please use this form. Select “Other” from the drop-down menu.
Review Process
Through its federal consistency review authority, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) has broad opportunities to influence federal government activities, construction, funding, permitting and other actions proposed within the coastal zone. It promotes coordination between state and federal policies, programs and agencies.
The review process relies on and seeks to improve existing state programs. Federal regulations (15 CFR 930) establish the basic policies and procedures for coastal states, federal agencies and other affected parties pertaining to the federal consistency review process.