Community Corner

Stillwater Lift Bridge Rehab Project Starts July 9, Full Closure Sept. 10

The $3.4 million Stillwater Lift Bridge rehab project starts July 9 and will include repair of the historic bridge's steel, concrete, electrical and mechanical components, as well as, guardrail, curb and gutter replacement and painting.

The is scheduled to start July 9.

Most of the work will be done on the water prior to the full closure beginning Sept. 10 and lasting through early-December. 

The $3.4 million project will include the repair of the historic bridge's steel, concrete, electrical and mechanical components. It will also include guardrail, curb and gutter replacement and painting at repair locations.

Find out what's happening in Stillwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"After July 9 boaters will notice that the navigation channel will be reduced by 10 feet at times in order for the crews to repair the lift span piers," Cara Chandler, a spokesperson for MnDOT said in an email to Patch. "Until Oct.15, boaters will not see many impacts. Starting Oct. 15 the lift span will not open from Sunday night to Saturday night for three weeks. The span will not open from then until the end of the project."

The Stillwater Lift Bridge rehabilitation project is needed to maintain a safe crossing and to preserve the bridge until it can be converted to a bike and pedestrian facility in 2017.

Find out what's happening in Stillwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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During an open house this winter, MnDOT officials said the project will impact both vehicle and boat traffic this fall.

Starting on Sept. 10, all traffic—including emergency vehicles—will be routed to the Interstate 94 Bridge at Hudson, said Paul Kivisto, the Metro Region Bridge Engineer with the Bridge Office of MnDOT.

During the 2005 repairs, the crews removed one of the spans so vessels on the river could pass through, but this time that won’t happen.

Check back for project updates as construction progresses and traffic impacts change.


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