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It's been in the works for several years, but the new St. Croix Crossing Bike Trail Loop project in Stillwater-- including the famous Lift Bridge-- has been completed.

Sure, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 have pretty much up-ended, canceled or postponed many events and activities across Minnesota this summer. But ONE activity just opened: the new St. Croix Crossing Loop bike and pedestrian trail in Stillwater.

That's the word from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, who said in an e-mail that all environmental commitments have been met for construction of the new St. Croix Crossing and transformation of the Lift Bridge to a bicycle/pedestrian trail. Which is pretty cool!

In case you're not familiar, the Stillwater Lift Bridge used to be the only way to get from Minnesota over to Wisconsin along Minnesota Highway-36. It was built waaay back in 1931 (at what MnDOT says was a cost of just over $460,000.) After a long, drawn-out process, it was replaced by the brand new, way-cool St. Croix River Crossing bridge three years ago.

Since then, though, the original bridge has been undergoing quite the makeover.   MnDOT explained the project earlier this year saying, "The Lift Bridge has become a much-loved symbol of the city of Stillwater, nestled on the west bank of the St. Croix River. The bridge, spanning the St. Croix River, is being transformed into a bicycle/pedestrian crossing that will be part of a new 4.7 mile loop trail system in Minnesota and Wisconsin that includes the St. Croix River Crossing bridge, and other local and regional trails."

Well, the entire project is now done and is awaiting you and your bike, rollerblades or walking shoes. (In fact, the new loop has actually been open since early June while some final landscaping was completed.) It looks pretty cool and very scenic. I'm hoping to get up to Stillwater to check it out some time yet this summer.

Listen to Curt St. John from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
and from 2 to 6 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc

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