Community Corner

Cassions, Piers Complete on Footings for St. Croix River Crossing

Steel, concrete and sweat (despite the cold) have come together for a major milestone in the bridge's construction.

December may have been record-setting in terms of top 10 coldest months, but that hasn't slowed progress in the heart of the St. Croix River. 

Crews completed the 40 steps necessary to complete 10 piers, creating the foundation of the St. Croix River Crossing, last month. 

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, these caissons are 9-feet diameter steel casings. Crews drill them up to 140 feet below the river surface, then fill them with rebar and concrete to create solid foundations for the new bridge. Then, crews pour a concrete footing and a column at each pier location that will eventually attach to the bridge superstructure. The columns will be visible and stick up about 16 feet above the water’s surface.

Traffic on Minnesota Highway 36 has also been moved to the eastbound lane, creating head-to-head, two-lane flow in the area that approaches the bridge site. That will remain throughout the winter months. 

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