Committee proposes modest plan to replace Stillwater bridge

A rendering shows one of the proposals for the Stillwater Lift Bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin. A committee of Stillwater residents, business owners and environmentalists has proposed a scaled down version of a new bridge. (Rendering courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Transportation)

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) – A committee of Stillwater residents, business owners and environmentalists has proposed a more conservative plan for replacing an aging lift bridge across the St. Croix River connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The group called Sensible Stillwater Bridge Partnership is proposing a three-lane, 40 mph bridge at a cost of about $260 million. Transportation officials favor a four-lane, 65 mph bridge with a price tag of more than $630 million.

Stillwater resident and urban planner Roger Tomten said the smaller bridge would accommodate rush hour traffic with a center lane that would alternate with the time of day. Motorists heading into Minnesota would have two lanes in the morning. In the afternoon, two lanes would be outgoing.

Minnesota Public Radio News says congressional approval is needed for the larger bridge after the U.S. Department of Interior ruled the proposal violates the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

More on the Stillwater bridge

• Firm linked to bridge collapse receiving contracts
• Wis., Minn. ready plans for St. Croix bridge 
• House eyes Stillwater bridge vote (UPDATE)
• Time ticking on Stillwater bridge (UPDATE)
• Stillwater span clears hurdle 
• House panel approves Stillwater Bridge bill 
• Bridge lobbying group to return $80K contribution
• Auditor finds $80K misspent on Stillwater bridge (UPDATE)
• MnDOT rejects alternate Stillwater bridge proposal
• Minn. nixes Stillwater bridge alternative (UPDATE)