Via the Minnesota Department of Transportation:
After nearly three years of extensive repairs and restoration, we will open the Stillwater Lift Bridge to bicycle and pedestrian traffic at 8 a.m. on Mon, June 1. Although the project was originally expected to be complete last summer, high floodwaters last spring and the discovery a cracked drum in the lift system along with additional work on the lift span delayed its completion.
Crews installed new drums and ring and pinion gears on the lift bridge in early May. Workers finished adjusting and fine-tuning the bridge’s lift mechanism before the Memorial Day weekend and newly hired bridge tenders finished their training this week. The lift span has been in use for St. Croix River boat traffic.
When it opens next week, the lift bridge will be part of a 4.7 mile bicycle/pedestrian “loop trail” system connecting the new river bridge with the historic bridge and other regional trails. The lift bridge will continue to operate and allow boat navigation beneath. When the lift bridge opens Monday morning the 2020 lift schedule will go into effect to accommodate boat navigation on the St. Croix River.
Maps of available parking and loop trail access in both states can be found at: mndot.gov/stcroixcrossing/design.html#minnesotaloop.
Transformation of the lift bridge to a bicycle/pedestrian crossing began in August 2017. Restoration work included repairing steel, painting, upgrading the electrical and mechanical system, installing decorative lights and rebuilding the concourse area to restore the lift bridge to its original 1931 look.
If you’d like more information about the Stillwater Lift Bridge project, please visit: mndot.gov/metro/projects/liftbridge.