Motorists in the Stillwater area may experience delays Tuesday afternoon as crews from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) close the Stillwater Lift Bridge to test the 80-year-old span's lift mechanism.
Tests on the bridge over the St. Croix River will begin at approximately 1:15 p.m. and are expected to be completed by 3 p.m.
The lift section of the bridge has not been raised since last fall, at the end of boating season. MnDOT must conduct the tests to ensure the lift section and lift motor are fully functional in advance of a possible closure due to flooding, said Beth Petrowske, MnDOT spokeswoman.
Motorists crossing the river may be delayed by 10 minutes at a time during the tests.
JIM ANDERSON
