Via the Minnesota Department of Transportation:
Due to the need to train new bridge tenders to operate the Stillwater Lift Bridge, the 2021 lift bridge schedule will not resume until 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 15 as required by the U.S. Coast Guard. Prior to the start of the regular Stillwater Lift Bridge schedule, MnDOT will lift the bridge with a 24-hour notification by calling MnDOT at 651-234-7110.
Once the season begins, bridge tenders will staff the lift bridge full time and the bridge will open every 30 minutes between 8 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week until the end of the year’s schedule, sometime around Oct. 15.
MnDOT will respond to special openings after midnight every day on a two-hour notice basis. Boaters must call MnDOT at 651-234-7110 a minimum of two hours in advance to schedule a bridge lift outside the regularly scheduled lifts. Any requests received by marine radio will be relayed by the bridge tender to the dispatcher.
During the periods of the day when the bridge is staffed, bridge tenders will monitor channel 16 on the marine band radio. Upon receiving a call on channel 16, conversations will be switched to channel 14.
For more information or a printable lift schedule, please visit the Stillwater Lift Bridge website at www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/liftbridge/schedule.html.
The regular lift schedule (set by the U.S. Coast Guard) is in effect from May 15 to October 15 each year. MnDOT may operate the lift bridge before and/or after these dates, if weather and resources permit. The Lift Bridge will be staffed full time from 8 a.m. to midnight daily.
During periods of the day when the bridge is staffed, bridge tenders will monitor channel 16 on the marine band radio. Upon receiving a call on channel 16, conversations will be switched to channel 14.
For any questions or comments, please call 651-234-7110.
The iconic Stillwater lift bridge was built in 1931 at a cost of $460,174 to replace a swing bridge dating to 1875. The cost was split evenly between Minnesota and Wisconsin. 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 vertical lift highway bridge formerly connected Minnesota Hwy 36 in Stillwater and Wisconsin Hwy 64 in Houlton. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The lift bridge closed to all traffic on Aug. 2, 2017 following the opening of the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge in Oak Park Heights. Motor vehicle traffic has been transferred to the St. Croix Crossing bridge.
