Project Information

Bid Title

Blatnik Bridge Replacement Project Environmental Compliance Manager

Issuing Agency

State Government of Minnesota

Location

Minnesota

Published Date

Jan 5, 2026

Closing Date

Jan 29, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Blatnik Bridge Replacement Project Environmental Compliance Manager

Brief Description: MnDOT requests letters of interest for an Environmental Compliance Manager (ECM) for the Blatnik Bridge Replacement project. The Blatnik Bridge is located on I-535 in Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI. It is a 5+ year construction project using the Design Build (DB) delivery method. The ECM will be responsible for environmental design oversight, environmental monitoring and compliance with environmental permits and regulations. Construction is expected to begin Fall 2026 and will continue through 2032. The goal of this project is to provide an experienced environmental compliance manager(s) to provide environmental oversight and field reviews during project design and construction. Both Minnesota (MN) and Wisconsin (WI) state standards and specifications will be followed as applicable.

Date posted: 01/05/2026
Due date: 01/29/2026

• RFP-QBS
• Scope of Work
• DBE Special Provisions

Attachment Preview

MnDOT Contract No. 1061261

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

Project Overview

The Blatnik Bridge Replacement project is primarily located in St. Louis County, Minnesota and Douglas

County, Wisconsin between the cities of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The project limits

extend 0.3 miles from the existing bridge structure on the Minnesota approach to 0.75 miles from the

existing bridge structure on the Wisconsin approach, along US 53.

The project includes replacement of the existing John. A. Blatnik I-535 Bridge (Minnesota Bridge number

9030, Wisconsin Structure B-16-5) on Interstate 535 (I-535) connecting Duluth, Minnesota and Superior

Wisconsin across the St. Louis River and Bay. The project also includes reconstructing an interchange in

Superior, WI that routes I-535 directly to US 53, with local connections to Hammond Avenue and WIS

35. The project includes design and construction of a new mainline bridge (Minnesota Bridge number

69913, Wisconsin Structure B-16-0153) and new exit ramp bridge (WI Structure B-16-0154) and

entrance ramp bridge (WI Structure B-16-0155). The new mainline bridge includes new Minnesota

approach spans, a new main span over the Main Navigation Channel, new spans along Connor’s Point,

new spans over the Howard’s Pocket Navigation Channel, and new Wisconsin approach spans that

connect to US Highway 53 in Wisconsin.

The project includes a new shared use path on the easterly side of the new mainline bridge and

Wisconsin entrance ramp bridge with trail connections in Duluth and Superior, drainage improvements,

retaining walls, and improvements within the City of Superior. The existing bridge will be closed for the

majority of construction and traffic will be detoured to the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge.

The project is adjacent to natural resources including Lake Superior and St. Louis River/Bay. The entire

project is in an industrial area with extensive soil and groundwater contamination.

This project is being delivered via the Design Build (DB) delivery process. After construction is complete

(estimated June 30, 2032), it is anticipated that weekly construction site inspections that meet

NPDES/WPDES permit requirements will be needed through October 31, 2032. More details on the

project can be found at: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/designbuild/blatnik-bridge/index.html. This

contract is for an Environmental Compliance Manager (ECM). The term “Contractor” in this scope is

referring to the ECM Contractor.

MnDOT anticipates this contract to extend past 5-years

The ECM will be a critical member of the project team and it is assumed will be needed an average of 40

hours per week from July 1, 2026 through October 31, 2031. The ECM will be required to review and

check the Design Builder’s plans, facilitate/coordinate multiple facets (i.e. stormwater/SWPPP,

contaminated groundwater, contaminated soil, and cultural/archaeological oversight) to ensure

compliance with the project’s environmental requirements and permit conditions.

Additionally, the ECM will be required to facilitate collection of information/documents from the DB

construction contractor for use by others. The performance of the daily oversight of the Contaminated

Soil and Groundwater Management, and Asbestos Containing Waste Material management, will be

performed by others.

Detailed duties will include the following:

1.0 CONTRACT PROJECT MANAGEMENT

1

MnDOT Contract No. 1061261

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

Project management will include work necessary for communication and completion of the project

tasks on time and within budget. The Contractor’s Project Manager or their primary duties will not

be reassigned without the written consent of the State’s Project Manager. The Contractor’s staff

will have the training and expertise necessary for the work tasks to which they are assigned.

1.1 Project Management & Administration

1.1.1. Monthly Budget & Billing (Invoice and Status Report): Invoices will be accompanied by a

cover letter; progress report form; supporting data for direct expenses; and an updated

project status report reflecting State Project and activities identified by the State’s

Project Manager.

1.1.2. Weekly Update to the State’s Project Manager: On a bi-weekly basis the Contractor’s

Project Manager will update the State’s Project Manager with regards to the status of

the project schedule, budget and general status/progress.

1.2 Deliverables

State’s Deliverables:

1. DB RFP Books

2. Provide copies of project correspondence, permits and project information.

3. Attend meetings.

4. Approve deliverables.

5. Monitor quality control.

Contractor’s Deliverables:

1. Attend meetings.

2. Coordination of project activities with stakeholders with the approval of State’s

Project Manager.

3. Provide weekly updates to the State’s Project Manager.

4. Prepare and submit monthly progress and status reports.

5. Provide timely copies of critical correspondences and project issue data.

2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE MANGER

2.1 Contractor will perform all verification tasks (during both design and construction) related to

environmental compliance, which includes all requirements and Exhibits (includes Response

Action Plans and Remedial Action Options Reports) per the DB Conformed Contract, under (but

not limited to) Book 2, Section 4. Duties include coordination with all project participants and

permitting agencies, maintenance of records, review and interpretations of plans and

specifications, and recommendations regarding dispute resolution. The Contractor will have

general familiarity with the Design-Build Conformed Contract. The Contractor must be an expert

in understanding the requirements and Exhibits of the Design-Build Conformed Contract, Book

2, Section 4; and MnDOT/WisDOT manuals, standards and specifications related to

environmental compliance. Attend all conferences or meetings as needed.

2.2 Required training includes:

1. University of Minnesota – EM2001 Construction Site Management In-Person course

2. University of Minnesota – Inspection and Maintenance of Permanent Stormwater

Treatment Practices Certification

3. HAZWOPER Training

2

MnDOT Contract No. 1061261

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

2.3 This position will serve as liaison between MnDOT/WisDOT project staff, MnDOT’s Office of

Environmental Stewardship and their consultants, the Design Build Contractor’s Environmental

Team (including Design Builder’s Contract Environmental Compliance Officer (CECO)), and other

agency stakeholders for the environmental commitments on the project. This position will assist

State in reviewing and verifying that all required environmental permits have been obtained by

the Contractor for the performance of work, and that obligations of all permits/approvals are

being met. Contractor will follow all responsibilities of the MnDOT ECM as defined in the DB

Conformed Contract including both design review and construction inspections.

2.4 This position will review and check the Design Builder’s plans for environmental conformance to

the design concept upon which the preliminary plans were prepared. Contractor will verify that

the final plans are prepared in accordance with the Design-Build Conformed Contract including

current State standards and practices for both MnDOT and WisDOT. These reviews will include

over-the-shoulder plans (OTS), release for construction plans (RFC), notice of design changes

(NDC), field design changes (FDC), and as-built plans.

Contractor will use the following criteria to check and review the plans:

1. Review – A comparative analysis for agreement with standard practice, conformance to

the contract requirements, agreement with similar structures, all with application of

professional judgment. Mathematical analysis is not specifically required, but may be

necessary where a discrepancy appears likely. Work will include an analysis of the

Design-Build Contractor’s methods, assumptions, and calculations. The Contractor will

use the procedures for checking plans and calculations described in the Design-Build

Conformed Contract Book 2, section 2, Exhibit A Quality Management Template, and

Vol. II Design Quality Management Plan.

2. Check – Contractor will check mathematical computations provided by the Design-Build

Contractor and provide independent calculations when an issue occurs during the

check.

3. Contractor will coordinate their review with the relevant MnDOT and WisDOT technical

experts with the requirement of obtaining the technical experts acceptance of the

design and plans. This coordination means that the Contractor will do all the review

work, and then present it to the MnDOT and WisDOT technical experts for their review,

comment, and concurrence.

2.5 This position will collaborate with the DB construction contractor to review, check, and verify

that all required environmental permits have been obtained by the DB construction contractor

for the performance of work, and ensure that obligations of permits and approvals are being

met. This position will review and provide comments on the DB construction contractor’s

Environmental Protection Training Program. Included in this task will be as-needed participation

in the training program to provide clarification and understanding of MnDOT/WisDOT’s

environmental goals and policies. This position will review and provide comments to the DB

construction contractor’s proposed mitigative measures for all areas of environmental concern

impacted by the Project. This position will review and provide comments to the DB construction

contractor submittals, including but not limited to:

a) Contaminated/Hazardous Materials/Hazardous Waste management plans

3

MnDOT Contract No. 1061261

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

b) Contaminated groundwater dewatering plans

c) Spill containment plans

d) Wetland and floodplain mitigation plans

e) Storm water pollution prevention plans

f) Cultural resource surveys

g) Contaminated soil and groundwater documentation reports

h) Asbestos and regulated material documentation.

i) NPDES/WPDES inspections and reports

j) Weekly/monthly environmental monitoring

k) Other required submittals per SWPPP

2.6 Contractor will perform field inspections to verify that the Design-Build construction contractor

is meeting all requirements of the Design-Build Conformed Contract and permits. This position

will coordinate the following during design and construction:

(a) Permanent stormwater management plan and other environmental design related

items

(b) Spill containment plans

(c) SWPPP

(d) Coordination of archaeological/cultural monitors. Archaeological monitoring will be

conducted by others. Coordination will consist of informing the Construction

Contractor’s designated onsite authority of monitors’ authority to stop work to

examine and document discoveries.

(e) Coordination of contaminated/regulated/hazardous water and soil monitoring

(f) Review and approve site management plans as described in the project SWPPP.

(g) Compile site specific inspections from project staff for required SWPPP inspection

intervals.

(h) Weekly/monthly environmental monitoring

2.7 Other Contractor Duties will include, but are not limited to:

(1) Understand both MnDOT and WisDOT standard construction practices and statutes.

(2) Become familiar with the construction plans, contract documents, environmental permits

and the DB construction contractor’s proposed schedule, prior to the date the Contractor

will commence the work.

(3) Attend construction meetings necessary for close coordination during day-to-day progress

of the work or as required to carry out the construction contract. Meetings may include a

close out meeting.

(4) Obtain, document, and file field conditions.

(5) Communicate regularly with the State’s Project Engineer/Supervisor. Immediately bring to

their attention any non-compliance with environmental permits or site issues.

(6) Provide the services required under this contract as necessary to accommodate the DB

construction contractor’s schedule. This may include overtime, nights, weekends, and

holidays.

(7) Perform field operations in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) regulations and accepted safety practices.

(8) Manage all permit compliance, ensure actions are implemented (plan review, audits, field

meetings, trainings, etc.)

(9) Monitor contaminated/regulated waste staff to ensure proper handling and documentation

and inspections.

4

MnDOT Contract No. 1061261

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

(10) Be aware of wells and sealing needs

(11) Monitor vegetation/landscaping prior, during and after land disturbance

(12) Manage & ensure NPDES and WPDES compliance during and after construction

(13) Protect cultural resources and Threatened Endangered (TE) species

(14) Be familiar with project specific Section 106 Programmatic Agreement (exhibit in DB

Conformed Contract, Book 2 Section 4)

(15) Ensure DB Construction Contractor stops work when requested by archaeological and

cultural monitors

(16) Facilitate issues/concerns with regulatory agency involvement

(17) Document activities to ensure future audits are well managed

(18) Manage/document spills or incidents during construction

(19) Guide internal and external agency walk-throughs and audit results

(20) Expedite compliance strategies, and anticipate upcoming issues of concern

(21) Perform such other work as the Contractor, in its professional opinion, deems necessary to

achieve the expected outcomes of this contract.

(22) Contractor will assist the State’s Project Manager to complete environmental compliance

administration related activities and perform other duties as assigned by the State’s Project

Manager.

(23) Be familiar with project specific design build MOU with WDNR and MPCA

2.8 Equipment and Supplies

Contractor must provide tools and equipment needed to perform the work including, but not

limited to:

(1) Cellular telephone, computer, and Wi-Fi access;

(2) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including, but not limited to, Safety vests meeting

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Class II, Class E long pants (for night work),

hard hats, hats, fall protection, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection;

(3) Vehicle for the Contractor’s use, equipped with a beacon on the approved products list,

which can be found at: www.dot.state.mn.us/products/vehiclelighting/index.html; and

(4) Other incidentals needed to perform the work.

(5) The Environmental Compliance Manager will be co-located with the State’s Project

Manager. Co-location is required two days per week during design and five days per week

during construction. At this time the location of the office is unknown, but it is expected to

be within 3 miles of the project.

2.9 Deliverables

Following is a summary of the deliverables under this contract:

(a) Hardcopy plan sets that show checked, corrected, and verified redlines corrections.

(b) Weekly field reviews, at a minimum

(c) Review of environmental permits for compliance

(d) Ensure obligations of all permits/approvals are being met (including Environmental

Management Plan)

(e) Attendance at project meetings

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 236220Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
• NAICS 237310Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
• NAICS 541330Engineering Services
• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541620Environmental Consulting Services

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