Wisconsin Company Named Contractor for St. Croix River Crossing Foundation Work

Wisconsin-based contracting company Edward Kraemer and Sons has been awarded the contract for constructing the foundation of the new St. Croix River Crossing.

The foundation work for the $680 million bridge will start in April and be completed in early summer 2014. Construction of the bridge superstructure is scheduled to start in 2014.  

“We are able to do the foundation construction more quickly and efficiently due to the information gathered during the St. Croix River load tests last summer,” according to Jon Chiglo, St. Croix Crossing project director, “as we construct this portion of the bridge, our focus will be on performing the work in an environmentally sensitive manner. ”

The bridge foundations contract work will includes:

• Construction of five river piers, to a height of 15 feet above normal river elevation;
• Construction of eight nine-foot diameter shafts per pier, drilled to a depth of 120 feet

MnDOT and WisDOT will hold open houses in early spring and will schedule other opportunities for residents and businesses to engage with project staff.

In April, the St. Croix Crossing project offices, located at 1862 Greeley St. in Stillwater, will have extended office hours to answer residents’ questions regarding the St. Croix Crossing.

RELATED: 

HDR Engineering Selected to Lead Design of St. Croix River Crossing

Bolander and Sons Awarded Load-Testing Work for St. Croix River Crossing Project

St. Croix River Crossing: Construction of Piers to Start in 2013

What's on Tap for the St. Croix River Crossing Project in 2013

MnDOT Seeks Bids for Design Work on the St. Croix River Crossing Project

The St. Croix Crossing project includes the reconstruction of Minnesota Highways 36 and 95, a four-lane river bridge, a roadway approach on the Wisconsin side of the river, historic and environmental mitigation, and extensive trail facilities, including converting the Stillwater Lift Bridge to a bike and pedestrian facility.

These elements of the project will be covered by separate contracts.

Bidding and Contracting

• Link to Information about the design build Hwy 36 project
• The plans and specs for SP 8221-82045A (Early Foundation Contract, St. Croix Crossing) were advertised on Jan. 11, 2013 for the March 1, 2013 letting - MnDOT Bid Letting
• The plans and specs for SP8214-114AJ (Historic Overlook Restoration Project) were advertised for the March 15, 2013 letting - MnDOT Bid Letting

Tentative schedule

A foundation load test completed in summer, 2012 provided bridge designers with critical information on soil conditions under the river. Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in 2013 and take about three years to complete. The approach roadways will also be built during this period.

Highway 36 work includes:

• Reconstructing and realigning Hwy 36 and Hwy 95
• Adding turn lanes on both intersections at Oakgreen and Greely, as well as Osgood, to improve capacity
• Realigning the intersection of Oakgreen and Greeley to improve access points and motorists' safety
• Creating a shared center turn lane by converting the north and south frontage roads from two 12-foot lanes into three 11-foot lanes
• Adding a trail along the south frontage road to connect to the new loop trail
• Adding ponds to improve storm water treatment and water quality
• Creating access to Hwy 95 by connecting the south frontage road to Stage Coach Trail
• Realigning the Beach Road bridge to include bike and pedestrian trails
• Constructing noise and retaining walls
• Adding traffic signals, lighting, signing and pavement markings
• Implementing a new Intelligent Transportation Systems that includes cameras and traffic detection
• Relocating utilities