The Stillwater Bridge: What Are The Issues?

The Stillwater Lift Bridge has been a hot debate for more than 20 years.

During a bridge forum Sept. 9, four panel members including former Congressman Jim Oberstar, discussed the issues and their viewpoints on the proposed replacement for the Stillwater Lift Bridge.

Chris Stein, a superintendent from the National Park Service revisited the various rulings on a new bridge across the Saint Croix River.

• In 1996, the Park Service found the proposed lift bridge replacement would have a direct and adverse effect on the St. Croix River, violating the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
• In 2005, the National Park Service ruled a bridge could be built if there was a mitigation package. The Sierra Club then sued the park service.
• In 2010, the courts ruled it, “arbitrary and capricious.” This halted the project. The judge’s reasoning for the ruling was the National Park Service did not give a reason for its change in position.
• This year, the National Park Service testified at the Senate subcommittee hearing for a bill that would allow an exemption to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act for construction of a new bridge. The park service stated at the hearing, despite having a mitigation package, these measures are not enough to prevent an adverse effect on the river and the wildlife.

“Please note that the National Park Service is neither for or against a bridge, our job is to evaluate each project individually… we faithfully execute the laws,” Stein said.

Adam Josephson, East Area Manager of the MnDOT Metro District explained why he believes Stillwater needs a new bridge.

Congestion is the main issue with the current bridge, Josephson said. The congestion gets worse when the Lift Bridge is up. When the Lift Bridge is “lifting,” it takes about 10 minutes and it lifts 20 times a day, he said.

The 80-year-old bridge regularly needs repairs due to its age and MnDOT has to close the bridge for flooding issues in the spring.

Josephson estimates the proposed bridge replacement to cost the state between $320 to $380 million.

Michael Wilhelmi from the Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing presented the coalition’s viewpoints on the bridge issues.

Wilhelmi stated the coalition supports the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and believes the exemption for the bridge project should be narrow as possible.

He then stated the proposed construction area is not wild and scenic, but rather a developed area.

“We just want a bridge built,” Wilhelmi stated. "We will disband after construction.”

Jim Erkel from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy criticized MnDOT saying, “MnDOT is exercising will more than judgment.”

Erkel also stated the Sierra Club was within its rights to challenge the 2005 evaluation of the rivers act.

Erkel ended his speech with, “(MnDOT) can’t keep pushing old solutions and partying like it is 1956.”

Congressman Oberstar seemed leery of Congress granting an exemption from the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act for a new bridge and is worried an exception this time would lead to more exemptions in the future.