The bridge is an important commercial route through the Twin Ports. More than 265,000 trucks carrying nearly $4 billion in goods cross it each year, along with an average of about 33,000 vehicles each day.

New Bridge Will Replace 65-Year-Old Crossing.

The John A. Blatnik Bridge opened in 1961 and carries I-535 across the St. Louis Bay. It is one of two highway bridges connecting Duluth and Superior and is jointly owned and managed by the Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of transportation.

Plans call for replacing the aging structure rather than rehabilitating the existing bridge. Minnesota is leading the project in partnership with Wisconsin, with more than $1 billion in federal funding awarded in early 2024 and additional funding coming from both states.

Project Includes Changes for Commercial Traffic

The replacement is designed to address several limitations of the existing bridge, including restrictions affecting heavier commercial vehicles. The new crossing will be built to better accommodate oversize and overweight loads while updating the roadway and bridge infrastructure between the two cities.

That is particularly significant for freight moving through the Twin Ports area, where I-535 provides access between northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The bridge also connects traffic serving the ports and surrounding industrial areas on both sides of the state line.

Construction Expected to Continue Through 2032

The project will take several years to complete, with completion currently expected in 2032. Construction will include the new bridge as well as related improvements to the I-535 corridor approaching the crossing.

Drivers traveling between Duluth and Superior should expect construction activity in the area as work progresses. Project schedules, traffic impacts, and detour information will be provided by transportation officials throughout the different stages of construction.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 4, 2026

Source: The Trucker

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For drivers who know where freight stays reliable and how winter affects trip flow, the colder months can remain productive and predictable.

Freight demand remains steady through the winter months

Minnesota supports freight tied to food production, manufacturing, retail distribution, fuel delivery, and agriculture support services. These sectors operate year-round and continue moving loads through winter.

Rather than disappearing, winter freight tends to move at a steadier pace. Transit times lengthen, but volume remains. Drivers running established lanes often find that winter brings fewer surprises than the shoulder seasons when freight fluctuates more sharply.

Winter driving shifts trip pacing, not total opportunity

Snow and cold naturally slow trip progression. Loads that turn faster in summer often take longer in winter, but that does not mean fewer loads overall.

Drivers who plan winter schedules with more buffer time often avoid last-minute reschedules and missed appointments. This leads to smoother weeks, fewer rushed miles, and more consistent pay cycles.

For many drivers, winter becomes a season of steadier routines rather than peak speed.

Customers adjust expectations in winter.

Shippers and receivers across Minnesota generally anticipate winter conditions. Appointment windows often become more flexible, and dispatch teams plan with weather delays in mind.

Drivers working with regular customers benefit from this seasonal adjustment. When expectations align with conditions, stress drops, and schedule predictability improves.

Local and regional routes stay dependable.

Metro areas like Minneapolis-St St. Paul, St. Cloud, Rochester, and Duluth maintain strong winter freight activity. Grocery distribution, healthcare supply, fuel hauling, and regional manufacturing support stable work for drivers who prefer shorter lanes.

Local and regional drivers often find winter work more predictable than summer, with fewer sudden demand spikes and more consistent daily planning.

Winter highlights the value of clear pay policies.

Pay structures matter more in winter, and drivers with clear detention, wait time, or hourly components often see steadier earnings.

Winter rewards clarity. Drivers who know exactly how they are paid during delays and extended duty windows are better positioned to stay comfortable financially through the season.

Winter is a planning season, not a penalty season.

Experienced Minnesota drivers often view winter as a planning season. Instead of chasing maximum miles, they focus on reliable lanes, predictable customers, and controlled schedules.

That approach supports consistent income, lower burnout, and better vehicle preservation. By the time spring arrives, drivers who managed winter well are often better positioned than those who tried to push through it aggressively.

Consistency matters more than speed.

Winter driving in Minnesota is about control and consistency. Earnings stability comes from aligning with how winter freight actually moves rather than expecting summer patterns to continue unchanged.

Drivers who adapt their planning, not their effort, tend to maintain steady income and smoother weeks through the cold months.

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Updates in Michigan

Michigan’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) began enforcing spring weight restrictions on all state trunkline highways starting Monday, March 3. These measures aim to protect roadways as seasonal changes make them more vulnerable to damage.

MDOT provided the following guidelines for restricted areas:

• All-Season Routes: Legal axle weights remain unchanged on these routes.

• Oversize Loads: Extended permits remain valid in restricted areas. However, single-trip permits for loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles, 150 feet in total length, or for overweight loads will not be issued on restricted routes.

• Seasonal Routes: Weight reductions are set to 25% for rigid pavements and 35% for flexible pavements, with maximum speeds capped at 35 mph for select vehicles.

Additional details, including speed restrictions and rules for propane deliveries and service vehicles, are available on the Michigan Department of Transportation website.

Wisconsin Implements Class II Restrictions

On Thursday, March 6, Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation (WisDOT) enacted Class II weight restrictions for most of its state highways. More highways have started these restrictions Monday, March 10.

WisDOT emphasized that Class II roads are particularly prone to damage during spring, as thawing frost weakens the ground. Local governments within Wisconsin may also impose additional load limits or restrictions on county, town, city, and village roads.

To assist truckers and businesses, an interactive map detailing seasonal weight restrictions throughout the state has been made available online.

Other States’ Updates

Minnesota ended its winter truck load limits as of February 28, signaling the transition to spring requirements. Meanwhile, North Dakota implemented its spring load limits on Friday, March 7.

Source: Land Line

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Highlighting Zima’s exceptional achievements, MTA President John Hausladen said, “This award is a great way to honor the best in our industry. Driving safely is no easy task, especially considering his daily driving conditions like congestion, driver distractions, and the added challenges of Minnesota winters. Having over 4 million safe driving miles is an outstanding accomplishment. We’re proud to award Roger for this achievement.”

Exemplifying Excellence

Ken Foltz, representing Foltz Trucking, further emphasized Zima’s commitment to excellence. “Roger is a prime example of an employee that lives and breathes the core values and principles of Foltz Trucking,” Foltz shared. “Roger does it right every trip, every day, every week, and every year.”

About Foltz Trucking

Founded in 1958 with just one truck, Foltz Trucking remains a family-owned and operated business, specializing in hopper freight. The company hauls a variety of bulk materials, including agricultural products and pet food ingredients—all while staying committed to safety and quality service.

The Road to Driver of the Year Recognition

Each year, the MTA celebrates exceptional drivers through its Driver of the Month program. Drivers who meet stringent requirements, such as an impeccable driving record, significant industry contributions, demonstrated commitment to highway safety, and community involvement, are nominated by their companies. One of these distinguished individuals is then selected as Driver of the Year by a panel of esteemed judges.

The 2024 judging panel included Charles St. Martin, Division Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Laura Roads from MnDOT; and Captain Robert Zak of the Minnesota State Patrol.

Congratulations to Roger Zima for his remarkable achievements and for setting the standard in trucking excellence!

Source: The Trucker

Image: MTA

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A Legacy Built on Hard Work and Trust

“As we honor the last 70 years and look to the future, we’re grateful for the trust of our customers and the hard work of our employees, drivers, and contractors,” shared ATS President Brent Anderson.

Since its incorporation on January 3, 1955, by Army Air Corps veteran and entrepreneur Harold Anderson, ATS has grown into one of the most respected freight transportation and logistics providers in the industry. What began as a small two-truck operation has evolved into a global enterprise under the leadership of Harold Anderson’s son, CEO Rollie Anderson, and grandson, President Brent Anderson.

From Granite Hauling to Global Transportation

ATS got its start amidst a highly regulated era in the trucking industry. Initially, Harold Anderson worked with Cold Spring Granite (now Coldspring), a company that needed help managing its growing transportation demands. At the time, Cold Spring Granite operated a private fleet restricted to hauling materials directly related to granite manufacturing. When their outbound freight exceeded their inbound materials, they turned to Harold Anderson to handle the surplus. From those beginnings, ATS was born and has flourished across seven decades.

Today, headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Anderson Trucking Service serves not only North America but also Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Germany, and beyond, offering trucking, logistics, and multimodal transportation solutions.

Honoring Milestones Through Celebration

To honor its 70-year milestone, ATS has planned a year full of celebrations to recognize the contributions of its employees, customers, drivers, contractors, and the communities they serve. These activities highlight the strong relationships the company has fostered over the decades.

“My grandfather, Harold Anderson, often said that ATS is great because of our people, and that remains true today. In his 50 years of leadership at this company, my father [Rollie Anderson] has ensured that our focus has always remained the success of our people and our customers,” Brent Anderson said. “It’s important to us to thank everyone who has been a part of our journey, past or present, for their support, without which this milestone would not be possible.”

Source: The Trucker

Image: ATS

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