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An iconic connector

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between Superior, Wisconsin

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and Duluth, Minnesota

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is set to close early next year.

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The Blatnik Bridge

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opened in 1961

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and now more than

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65 years later

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is scheduled

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for reconstruction.

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But now, U.S. senators

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in two states

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and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers

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have written letters

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to the U.S.

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Department of Transportation

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to release that funding

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so the project can proceed.

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So how critical is it

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to get this funding

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released sooner

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rather than later?

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Well, at first

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we'll be OK

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because the

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there are some delays

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built into the project.

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The problem is

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the later we start

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the later we finish

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and the effect of the

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closure of the bridge

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is significant and that's what

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we're preparing for.

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Any extension of

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that closure is problematic

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for the economy and

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quality of life of both

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Superior and neighboring Duluth.

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So, the later it starts

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the later it finishes.

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What has the U.S. DOT

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told you about

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when that might happen?

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Nothing.

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We have had a

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lot of coordination

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with Wisconsin

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Department of Transportation

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and of course, Minnesota

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Department of Transportation.

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And until now, we had

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reasonable assurances

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that this was going to happen.

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There was a lot

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of uncertainty

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at the start of this

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presidential administration

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but that was supposed to

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have been resolved

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that this project was

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going forward.

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So this is

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a very frustrating delay.