Minnesota Government Shutdown Could Force Stillwater Lift Bridge Closure

Interstate 94 and the Hudson, Wis., bridge could see more traffic next month if a government shutdown forces the closure of the Stillwater Lift Bridge.

In an email obtained by Patch, the Minnesota Department of Transportation told Washington County officials that "lift bridge operations have NOT been identified as a critical government function and operations of the lift bridge are expected to cease on June 30th  if state budgets are not resolved."

Lawmakers and the governor have been at a over the budget since the regular session ended. Gov. Mark Dayton has identified what he , and apparently the lift bridge, which opened in 1931, was not among them.

The bridge would be left in the "up" position to accommodate marine traffic and motorists would be detoured to the I-94 bridge, according to the email from MnDOT.

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