SCEDC BLOG

After four plus years of construction and an earlier year that brought exploratory borings into bedrock at the bottom of the St. Croix River, a new legacy bridge connecting St. Croix (WI) and Washington counties will soon open.

That’s right, a legacy bridge — in a special corner of the world – the St. Croix Valley.

Of greater importance, the new bridge treats the federally protected St. Croix River with dignity and respect. A Wild and Scenic River deserves this.

The modified cable stay design, or extradosed design, creates the legacy element for the St. Croix Valley. It will be the second extradosed bridge in the U.S.

The best views of a body of water are sometimes from atop a bridge. Visitors to the St. Croix Valley will enjoy the panoramic views from the multi-use path and scenic overlooks on the upstream side of the bridge.

The old will connect with the new. The vintage, 1931 Lift Bridge in Stillwater, MN will close to vehicular traffic and paved paths in both Wisconsin and Minnesota will connect recreationalists to the new St. Croix Crossing.

After decades of debate, there’ll soon be cause for celebration.