Rices Point Access Boat Launch Faces Five Year Closure
The Blatnik Bridge replacement project will be ramping up later this year, and that's going to cause a lot of disruptions. The 1.8 billion dollar project is moving forward, and when completed, it will greatly improve the infrastructure for not just Duluth and Superior, but the entire Great Lakes region.
Duluth and Superior are the Great Lakes busiest ports. It's also the furthest inland port in North America. The aging Blatnik Bridge is expected to close by 2030, even if a replacement plan is not funded. It's in that bad of shape that load restrictions have been in place for years. The bridge cannot support oversized loads. Instead, semi-trucks hauling oversized and heavy loads have been forced to use the Bong Bridge and drive through Belknap Street through the heart of Superior.
Read More: Does The Twin Ports Really Need Two Bridges Anyway?
Two bridges are needed for the Twin Ports to alleviate traffic backups, accommodate freight movement, and aid in emergency response. One of the many preparations for the replacement project is making sure our emergency services are prepared for the bridge closure.
Rice's Point Access Directly Under Blatnik Bridge
The Blatnik Bridge is directly above Rice's Point Access. It's one of the busiest and most popular boat launches in the Twin Ports harbor. Its close proximity to Park Point, the lift bridge, and Lake Superior makes it an ideal place to launch your boat for sightseeing or pleasure boating. It's also a good spot to launch for fishing.
Rice's Point Access was last updated in 1999. It has 2 launch ramps, 2 docks, and 75 car/trailer parking spaces, along with portable restrooms and a fishing pier.
Boat Ramp Will Close Fall 2026
The MNDOT and the Minnesota DNR have been working together for the last few years on the plan for this area during the Blatnik Bridge Replacement project. The landing will close for 5 years, beginning this Fall (2026). The area will be used for construction, staging, and access during the construction period.
Will It Reopen?
When the Blatnik Bridge is replaced and construction is finished, MnDOT will reconstruct the parking area, and it will return to use.