St. Croix Crossing

St. Croix Crossing final work and mitigation

Although the Hwy 36 St. Croix river crossing opened to traffic on Aug. 2, 2017, additional work remains to complete the project.

Work includes:

• Final cleanup and landscaping
• Rehabilitation and conversion of Stillwater Lift bridge to bicycle/pedestrian traffic and to serve boat traffic. When completed, the lift bridge will be part of the new 4.7 mile Loop Trail that also includes the new St. Croix River crossing.
• The Loop Trail in Wisconsin is now complete. St. Croix County is now responsible for management of the Wisconsin portion of the trail.
• Growth Management and Riverway MOU mitigation items
• Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources’ boat access. The DNR is requesting approval and designing a new boat landing next to the St. Croix River Crossing bridge in Minnesota. For more information, contact Kent Skaar, Minn. DNR at 651-259-5646 or kent.skaar@state.mn.us.

Construction on related projects

Stillwater Lift Bridge Project

Bridge closure

August 2017 through winter 2019-2020

With the new St. Croix Crossing bridge opened to traffic, the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge conversion project has begun. The Lift Bridge is now closed to ALL traffic. Marine traffic is now traveling through an opening in the bridge.

The Lift bridge, spanning the St. Croix River, will be converted to a bicycle/pedestrian crossing and will also become part of a five-mile “loop trail” system connecting the new river bridge with the historic bridge. The Lift Bridge will continue to operate to allow boat navigation beneath.

Stay informed

• Visit the project website and sign-up for email alerts

Wisconsin Hwy 64, Houlton, Wis.

Wisconsin Hwy 64 Loop Trail in Wisconsin: Construction of Loop Trail in Wisconsin (part of St. Croix Crossing’s Loop Trail project) and landscaping. Includes construction of two trailhead parking lots, a restroom and a picnic shelter with tables and benches.

Stay informed

• Sign-up for email alerts

St. Croix Crossing Project Dedication Ceremony

A celebration for the completion of the St. Croix Crossing Bridge project was held Aug. 2, 2017. Thanks to all who were able to join us in-person for this celebration. We are deeply grateful to all who helped achieve this monumental project.

• St. Croix Crossing Bridge Celebration Program (PDF)

Stillwater Lift Bridge grand opening celebration

Planning is underway for a special ceremony and events, led by the city of Stillwater, on Fri, May 15 and Sat, May 16, 2020 to celebrate the transformation of the Stillwater Lift Bridge to a bicycle/pedestrian crossing. Restoration of the lift bridge is expected to be complete by early 2020 and the entire 4.7 mile loop trail will open in the spring of 2020.

Project news

• Oct. 15 is the end of formal boat navigation season. Coast Guard regulates lift schedule.
• No wake zone lifted from St. Croix River at St. Croix Crossing (Sept. 28, 2017)
• Frequently Asked Questions: St. Croix Crossing (Aug. 21, 2017)
• St. Croix Crossing no-wake zone extended for safety purposes (Aug. 17, 2017)
• What's Next: St. Croix Crossing (Aug. 7, 2017)
• Minnesota, Wisconsin to open new St. Croix Crossing project to traffic at 8 p.m. Aug. 2 (Aug. 2, 2017)
• St. Croix Crossing opens after decades of debate, development (Aug. 2, 2017)
• St. Croix River Crossing ribbon cutting ceremony set for Wednesday, Aug. 2 (June 15, 2017)
• Final construction season begins at St. Croix Crossing (May 30, 2017)
• Lane closures on Highway 95 at Highway 36 (Mar. 29, 2017)
• Final closure pour complete (Feb. 10, 2017)
• Bridge construction progress maps

Blog series

• St. Croix Crossing designed and built to protect environment (July 6, 2017)
• Final work on St. Croix Crossing this summer (June 6, 2017)

Video series: Building the St. Croix Crossing

Want a closer look at St. Croix Crossing construction? Check out our video series to discover more about the major stages of bridge construction, from laying the bridge foundations below the water to making the finishing touches on the bridge.

• In the first video, learn how crews constructed the bridge foundation below the water.
• In the second video, find out how the bridge piers and crossbeams were constructed
• In the third video, see how crews assembled the bridge deck.
• The fourth video will give you a glimpse of how the pier towers and stay cables were erected.
• The fifth video (below) takes a look at the finishing touches on the bridge, including chip sealing and painting

Visit our YouTube channel to view the entire video series!