In November 2011, both the Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of transportation installed new signs to remind drivers that trucks over 40 short tons (36 t) gross vehicle weight cannot use the Blatnik Bridge; these vehicles will be rerouted to the nearby Bong Bridge.

According to the press release, permitted, overweight vehicles have been restricted from using the Blatnik Bridge since early 2008 when inspections showed that corrosion and time were starting to affect the structure.

[3] President Joe Biden visited the bridge in 2022 as part of a tour to boost the infrastructure bill signed the previous year.

On January 22, 2024, the United States Department of Transportation announced that it was awarding nearly $1.06 billion in federal funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to replace the bridge.

[7][8] On July 22, 2022, a 55-year-old man died after striking construction equipment on the Duluth-bound section of the bridge with his SUV at around 7:50 PM.

[9] On January 9, 2017, Duluth native Mark Anderson lost control of his Ford Ranger and plunged over the side of the Eastbound approach to the main span, falling 30–40 feet to the Port Terminal below.