SUPERIOR — President Joe Biden touched down at the Duluth International Airport at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, two hours before a scheduled speech at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Biden was greeted on the tarmac by several dignitaries, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and Superior Mayor Jim Paine.
A blistering wind made for a real-feel temperature of just 11 degrees as the president and First Lady Jill Biden descended the stairs at 12:32 p.m. They were accompanied on Air Force One by Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith of Minnesota and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.
Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., and White House infrastructure czar Mitch Landrieu were also on the flight, according to a tweet from Politico White House reporter Christopher Cadelago.
The Bidens shook hands and exchanged hugs with the local and state officials and their spouses for several minutes before boarding the heavily armored limousine often nicknamed "The Beast." A motorcade of roughly 30 vehicles began pulling away from the airport at 12:38 p.m.
Road closures were expected along the route to Superior; the Blatnik Bridge had been shut down well in advance of the president arriving. The motorcade was seen crossing into Superior around 1 p.m.
During his visit to UW-Superior's Yellowjacket Union at approximately 2:15 p.m., Biden will discuss how the law "delivers for the American people by rebuilding roads and bridges and creating good-paying, union jobs," a news release said Monday.
The event is invitation only, according to an email sent Monday from UW-Superior Chancellor Renée Wachter to students, staff and faculty. It will be livestreamed on this website .
Traveling w/ Biden to Duluth, Minn. and Superior, Wisc., are Sens. Klobuchar and Baldwin, and White House infrastructure tsar Mitch Landrieu, per pool.
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) March 2, 2022
The White House did not disclose how or where Biden would be spending the roughly 90 minutes between his departure from the airport and his speech.
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Watch for our coverage throughout and following the event.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
