New bridge for a new age

Reaching a mile long and dwarfing its 1931 predecessor, the Stillwater Lift Bridge, the new St. Croix River bridge represents compromises by 28 'stakeholders' who forged an agreement after years of debate. Its rare design makes it only the second major bridge of its kind in the United States. The four-lane bridge, standing 10 stories above the St. Croix and 2 miles south of the Lift Bridge, was built sparingly to avoid overwhelming the scenic view. It will connect Hwy. 36 in Oak Park Heights with a new four-lane highway in St. Croix County, Wis.