The Hwy 243/Osceola Bridge Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet is available for public review and comment. The comment period will close on Thu, Dec. 26. Learn more and submit your comments.
About this project
Hwy 243 project location map.
We are working in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to replace the Hwy 243 Osceola Bridge over the St. Croix National and Scenic Riverway. The current bridge was built in 1953 and is scheduled to be replaced. MnDOT and WisDOT completed an evaluation of the bridge and its components and decided not to reuse any portion of the existing structure.
After three years of evaluating options and gathering input from government stakeholders and the public, the project team has chosen the current bridge location as the preferred site for the new bridge. Currently, we are studying what type of bridge should be built. The project team is working on the bridge design, finishing up the Visual Quality Manual and working to get the environmental approvals needed to rebuild the bridge. We expect to have renderings of what the bridge will look like and plans to present these renderings, along with an updated construction timeline at a future meeting in summer/fall 2024.
Summary of work
The purpose of this project is to maintain a reliable highway connection over the St. Croix River for Hwy 243 between Washington/Chisago counties in Minnesota and the Village of Osceola and Polk County in Wisconsin. The project team is working with federal, state, and local interests to minimize impacts to the St. Croix River and other natural resources in the area.
- Project needs:
- Address bridge conditions
- Evaluate pedestrian bridge crossing by foot and by bicycle
- Address drainage conditions
- Additional considerations:
- Bridge traffic during construction
- River navigation and access during construction
- Osceola Landing access
- Hwy 243 Wayside Rest on the Minnesota side of the river
- Hwy 243 Emergency Pull-off on the Wisconsin side of the river
Environmental documents available for public review Nov. 26 - Dec. 26
MnDOT welcomes the public to review, and share comments on the Hwy 243/Osceola Bridge Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet during the public comment period. The 30-day public comment period opens Tue, Nov. 26 and closes on Thu, Dec. 26.
The Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation are proposing the replacement of Hwy 243/Osceola Bridge over the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The bridge connects Franconia Township, MN, and Osceola, WI.
Copies of the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet, which documents the purpose and need of the project along with the potential environmental impacts, are available for public viewing during business hours at the following locations:
- MnDOT Metro District Water's Edge Building: 1500 W. Co. Rd. B-2, Roseville, MN 55113
- WisDOT Northwest Region-Superior Office: 1701 N. 4th St., Superior, WI 54880
- WisDOT Northwest Region-Eau Claire Office: 718 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701
- Osceola Village Hall: 310 Chieftain St., Osceola, WI 54020 (Use the 3rd Avenue entrance.)
- Franconia Town Hall: 25156 St. Croix Trail N., Shafer, MN 55074
- Wilberg Memorial Public Library of Osceola: 310 Chieftain St., Osceola, WI 54020
- Taylors Falls Public Library: 473 Bench St., Taylors Falls, MN 55084
- St. Croix Falls Public Library: 230 S. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
We want to hear from you!
You can submit comments to MnDOT Project Manager, Dmitry Tomasevich several ways:
- By mail: Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1500 W. County Road B2, Roseville, MN 55113
- Email: dmitry.tomasevich@state.mn.us
- Phone: 651-245-4406
Comments will be added to the project administrative record and will be considered by the project team for a determination as to the adequacy of the environmental documentation. A summary of all comments received and how they have been considered will be prepared in a Findings of Facts and Conclusion Document, which will be distributed in spring 2025.
Traffic impacts
Detour routes that would be used for a future temporary bridge closure.
Click image for larger version
All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.
Upcoming
Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be provided as details become available. Motorists can expect lane, road and bridge closures throughout construction. There will be a period in which the bridge will need to be closed. It is anticipated that the bridge will be closed from sometime in 2027 through 2028. The duration of that closure is one of the many items that will be considered during the alternative evaluation.
Potential alternate routes/detours
The project team has identified Hwy 8 and Hwy 36 as two alternate driving routes that motorists can use when the bridge is closed. The travel time between Hwy 243 and Hwy 8 is approximately 15 minutes on either side of the bridge. The travel time between Hwy 243 and Hwy 36 is approximately 30 minutes on either side of the bridge.