DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth will receive $11.2 million in federal aid to help repair and maintain the Aerial Lift Bridge, a Minnesota landmark that is badly deteriorated.
Members of the city’s congressional delegation — including Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Republican Rep. Pete Stauber — hailed the announcement that the project is in line to garner support from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Program, or RAISE, which is part of the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“The Aerial Lift Bridge isn’t just a bridge — it’s a cherished Minnesota icon, a significant entryway to the Port of Duluth-Superior, and a critical point of connection for residents and visitors alike,” said Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert in a statement. “Along with funding from our state partners, this RAISE grant almost completes funding for this $20M project.”
In the same news release, Director of Public Works and Utilities Jim Benning said: “In one fell swoop, the city of Duluth will replace pedestrian walkways, replace the bridge deck, apply new protective paint to the bridge, and make other structural improvements.”
In September, Benning advised the Duluth City Council of the imminent need to repair the bridge and warned, “From an engineering standpoint, waiting is not an option, and the consequences of inaction would be super-bad.”
The latest grant announcement comes on the heels of previous collective federal allocations of about $1.5 million for bridge walkways set aside since fiscal year 2022.
In a news release, Stauber said, “The iconic Aerial Lift Bridge serves as a symbol of the great city of Duluth and is fundamental to the successful operation of our international port, which is why it is imperative that we maintain its upkeep for years to come.”
For her part, Klobuchar called the bridge ”a vital part of Duluth’s transportation system.”
“It is not only a critical link for drivers, but also supports essential infrastructure such as water, sewage, natural gas, electrical and data services, and provides ships key access to the Twin Ports,” Klobuchar noted in a written statement. “With this grant, the city of Duluth will make critical infrastructure improvements to make the Aerial Lift Bridge resilient for generations to come.”
Smith chimed in, saying: “The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is an iconic and historic piece of infrastructure that has connected communities and supported local businesses for over a century.”
RAISE grants can be used by communities for transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, delivered a 50% increase in the amount of available funding for the RAISE grants, as well as resources for improving the state’s roads, bridges, public transportation and water infrastructure.
Stauber voted against the federal infrastructure bill but nevertheless has remained a staunch supporter of Duluth’s request for assistance through the program since federal aid became available.
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