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Construction on the remaining sections of the Wisconsin Loop Trail project is expected to begin this week. This year’s activity includes completion of work on the old Hwy 64 hill (pavement marking and signing) installation of pedestrian railing and installation of a new “Welcome to Wisconsin” sign on eastbound Hwy 64. If weather cooperates, the trail will be completed by the end of May.
In Minnesota, we’ve completed work on the Upper and Lower Loop Trails and the parking lot, but the lift bridge will not be completed until sometime this fall.
And with the return of nicer weather, if you’re planning an afternoon hike or bike ride on the St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail this spring, much of the nearly five-mile trail is accessible. The only parts of the trail that are not open is the Stillwater Lift bridge and a portion of the trail on Houlton Hill from the Hilltop Trailhead down to the Lift bridge.
The parking lot along Hwy 95 just north of the new bridge in Minnesota is open for use, however you’ll find some of construction buildings in the parking lot waiting for the St. Croix River flood waters to recede. If that lot is full, you can find parking to the south along the Stillwater Sewage Plant Road.
In Wisconsin, you can park in the park & ride lot on the south side of Hwy 35/Co. Rd. E. However both trailhead lots remain closed until signing is installed. The shelters, the main trailhead and the restrooms also are closed until picnic tables, benches, bike racks and other equipment is installed by early this summer.
Maps of available parking and loop trail access in both states can be found at: mndot.gov/stcroixcrossing/design.html#loop.
The historic lift bridge, spanning the St. Croix River, is being transformed into a bicycle/pedestrian crossing. This conversion project is part of the St. Croix Crossing Project. The converted lift bridge will also become part of a 5-mile “loop trail” system connecting the new river crossing bridge up with the historic bridge and other local trails.
If you’d like more information about the Stillwater Lift Bridge project, please visit: mndot.gov/metro/projects/liftbridge.
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