Title: St. Croix River Crossing | New Bridge Near Stillwater, MN | Related Links
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Content: Braun was asked to review the need for a replacement crossing and to investigate potential bridge alignment alternatives. In addition, he was asked to recommend an alignment and type of bridge structure that would be both feasible to construct and acceptable for implementation by the key interested parties. Between June and September of 1998, Braun conducted extensive discussions and meetings with many individuals and organizations, and facilitated public meetings with a 21-member advisory group (the St. Croix River Crossing Advisory Group) that included representatives from federal and state regulatory agencies, local and regional units of government, environmental groups, historic preservation groups, and chambers of commerce. Braun recommended a four-lane, deck-tied, steel arch bridge on an alignment 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) south of the existing Stillwater Lift Bridge. The proposed bridge would cross the river perpendicularly and would be shorter than the 1995 Final EIS Preferred Alternative. The alignment would also take advantage of an existing ravine on the Wisconsin bluff, thereby reducing potential impacts on the Lower St. Croix Valley. A large majority of the St. Croix River Crossing Advisory Group agreed that they could accept the Braun recommendations. Unlikely Allies Agree — the New St. Croix River Bridge Crossing is Needed
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and U.S. Representative Michelle Bachmann both agree on building a new bridge over the federally protected St Croix River. Bachmann worked closely with Wisconsin lawmakers to introduce legislation in Congress to create an exemption from the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act that allows a new four-lane St. Croix River bridge to be built in the near future. Legislation proposed by Senators Klobuchar, Kohl, Franken, and Johnson was important milestone for Minnesota and Wisconsin in the process of addressing a transportation problem that has plagued the region for decades.