St. Croix Crossing, Extradosed bridge in Oak Park Heights, United States.
St. Croix Crossing is an extradosed bridge that carries traffic across the St. Croix River, linking Minnesota and Wisconsin. The structure uses a hybrid design with cable-stay elements and box-girder supports to span the river.
The project began as a replacement plan for the Stillwater Lift Bridge starting in 1951. After many decades of planning and negotiations, the bridge was eventually built with a special federal exemption.
The bridge structure features slender twin-blade piers and curved surfaces that integrate with the river landscape, reflecting regional architectural preferences for environmental consideration.
The bridge accommodates four lanes of traffic with a design that minimizes maintenance needs. The drainage and structural systems are engineered to handle the local climate and river conditions.
During construction, endangered mussels were relocated and seeds from rare plants were collected. The builders also maintained a large safety distance from an active bald eagle nest to protect local wildlife.
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