Troubled Bridges

Over 100 state bridges rated worse than 35W

Stillwater Lift Bridge

Excerpt:

... the bridge has been deemed "structurally deficient" by inspectors, receiving a sufficiency rating of 2.8 on a 100-point scale. Because of the bridge's design, it is considered "fracture critical" - there is no built-in redundancy to prevent the entire structure from collapsing if one component fails. In comparison, the I-35W Mississippi River bridge, another fracture critical bridge which collapsed on August 1, 2007, received a sufficiency rating of 50.

Comment: The public (yes you and me!) have held up the Stillwater bridge replacement for decades! MNDOT: St. Croix River Crossing project

Excerpt:

Consideration of a replacement bridge crossing over the St. Croix River near Stillwater began in the early 1970s, but was not pursued because of a lack of funding. In the 1980s, Mn/DOT, Wis/DOT, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) began working with the communities of Stillwater and Oak Park Heights in Minnesota, and St. Joseph Township in Wisconsin to identify possible solutions for a replacement crossing. The 1987 Scoping Decision Document/Final Study Outline for the Highway 36/State Highway 64 St. Croix River Crossing identified four broad corridors for a new river crossing both north and south of downtown Stillwater as well as two corridors in or near the downtown area. The 1990 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzed three of these corridors, along with a "No Action" Alternative and a Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative, which examined various options to maximize use of the existing transportation system.

In April 1995, Mn/DOT, Wis/DOT, and FHWA completed a Final EIS and Section 4(f) Evaluation for a replacement bridge about 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) south of the existing Stillwater Lift Bridge. A Record of Decision (ROD) was issued by FHWA in July 1995, and work began on the final design of the river crossing and the approach roadways. Right-of-way was acquired, and site preparation work was initiated.

Comment: If you have ever driven to Camp Clearwaters (Christian Camp owned by Fourth Baptist), this is the bridge you cross! (from Stillwater).