New St. Croix Crossing Bridge brings community adjustments

September 20, 2013

Although the construction for the St. Croix Crossing Bridge is currently causing disruption to the traffic flow, the new bridge is predicted to be suitable for all vehicle types while reducing congestion in downtown Stillwater. Photo Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Although the construction for the St. Croix Crossing Bridge is currently causing disruption to the traffic flow, the new bridge is predicted to be suitable for all vehicle types while reducing congestion in downtown Stillwater. Photo Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Stillwater/Oak Park Heights residents have been waiting over 15  years for the St. Croix crossing bridge between Minnesota and Wisconsin. This project has been well underway since the first demolition of some local housing.

The new bridge foundation work continues leaving dramatic direction change to the community and taxpayers. The new bridge has clearly changed Stillwater through many aspects, Oak Park Heights Mayor has revealed the layout and the new plans for the St. Croix cross bridge.

The traffic with half of the highway 36 streets gone, have really slowed down traffic flow.

Junior Lauren Quickel said, “It will be nice because right now, it takes forever to get to work downtown because thirty six get’s so backed up in the summer, I think it will help the traffic flow become smoother and decongest downtown.”

Residents have grown to love the old Stillwater bridge downtown dearly, but with the upcoming of the new St. Croix bridge, the changes will have a smoother, safer, more timely feel.

Mayor Mary McComber said, “The Stillwater bridge was built in 1931 which was built for the use of the smaller cars back then, they didn’t plan on the big semis driving to and from both states so often. So this bridge will be suited for all the types of vehicles we have today, it will be for a better future.”

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Birds eye view of bridge and new Highway 36 road construction plans.
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Huge piles of dirt and tons of dirt moving equipment signify the massive scale of the bridge project. Over a million tons of dirt will have been moved before the bridge is finished.
Dirt removed from bridge

From start to finish, the surrounding communities will have to adjust to many different changes.

McComber said, “The bridge will be done fully by fall of 2016. Oak Park Heights finally came in and made the deal a in November of last year. Then as soon as spring came around things got at a faster pace.”

Traffic flow has never been a major problem until now due to construction.

McComber said, “With everyday, about two-thousand vehicles will pass over. By the year 2030 there is an estimated that double that will pass over. Not only will the vehicle amounts grow but also the population of the surrounding communities.”

With new things come come great benefits.

McComber said, “The benefits are basically that we have to rely on transporting the goods and for secuity if a necessary evacuation. The 94 bridge is the biggest right now but cannot be for the future.”

The St. Croix crossing bridge not only will it be for cars but also a huge trail that loops around.

Quickel said, “What we really need to look at is how much more safe this new crossing bridge will be, because I mean I work almost everyday down at the Dock Cafe and it is horrible having to try and get home in all of that chaos.”

McComber added, “Along the path there will be benches and little plaques of the history of the spot or water way. Also a great place for pictures!”

The taxpayers have not felt a dent in their wallets due to a generous source.

McComber said, “A lot of fuss has come from the financial end but $393 thousand came from help by congress Mark Kennedy in 2006.”

This new Stillwater bridge will have many new aspects about it rather than the downtown bridge. This bridge has been more modernized and is ready to take action.