Work continues on St. Croix Crossing Project

August 22, 2012

St. Paul, Minnesota–Work continues on the load test project, which will determine rock and soil conditions at the bottom of the St. Croix River. Crews have drilled into the river bottom and placed steel shafts into the bedrock. Concrete was poured into the steel shafts last week and load testing will begin on Monday, August 27. Residents may be aware of noise associated with the tests as small detonations are set off to create vibrations and measure soil stability. The load test project is scheduled to be completed in mid-September.

In related news:

• The HNTB Corporation was selected as the peer review consultant for the St. Croix Crossing bridge. In this role HNTB will be assisting the project in reviewing and assessing the bridge design to ensure a successful St. Croix River crossing. The schedule calls for plans to be completed in summer 2013 with construction of the estimated $300 million river bridge starting in fall 2013.
• St. Croix Crossing project staff announced that the St. Croix Crossing Bridge will have five pier sets instead of six as originally planned, with another pier set on land that will support the bridge on the Wisconsin side. "The change will be better for the environment and save time and money," said Jon Chiglo, St. Croix Crossing project director.
• Motorists in the eastern Twin Cities Metro Area and western Wisconsin will experience delays and a detour as the Stillwater Lift Bridge spanning the St. Croix River between Stillwater and Houlton, Wisconsin, closes on Monday, September 10. The project is anticipated to be completed in late December. Motorists are advised to cross the St. Croix River either at the I-94 Bridge at Hudson, Wisconsin, or at the Highway 243 Bridge at Osceola, Wisconsin.

Visit the MinnDOT website and Facebook for more project information.

For more information, contact:
Mary McFarland Brooks, Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Tel (651) 366‐4280
Cell (651) 200-5453
Email mary.mcfarland@state.mn.us

Christine Ouellette, Wisconsin Department of Transportation/NW Region
718 W. Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Tel (715) 833‐9814
Cell (715) 828‐9417
Email chris.ouellette@dot.wi.gov