Warning about 'Thin, Irregular, Dangerous Ice' near St. Croix Crossing Project

Use "extreme caution" and look out for "thin, irregular and dangerous ice conditions" on the St. Croix River, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has warned.  

The reason for MnDOT's cautionary statement was the demobilization of three barges from the construction area last week from their positions near Oak Park Heights, MN and St. Joseph, WI. That broke up ice cover along a large stretch of the river from the St. Croix Crossing construction site down to Hastings. 

Other barges were removed by truck, MnDOT said. And according to project spokesperson Jessica Wiens, crews won't be moving any other barges this season. 

Tug Boat Traffic Keeps Ice Iffy
But activity in the construction zone will continue to create similarly dangerous ice conditions, Wiens said by email Monday:

"Near the project site, tug boats continue to break up ice while crews complete pier foundations work. Right now, that is scheduled to be complete in January. So ice breaking is currently occurring, causing thin and irregular conditions between Stillwater and Bayport." 

Meanwhile, the project's live webcam returned to service Monday while its construction camera marked a week on the fritz.

For more information about the St. Croix Crossing project: 

• Visit the project website
• Sign-up for project email updates
• Call the hotline at 1-855-GO-CROIX (462-7649)
• Like St. Croix Crossing  on Facebook
• Follow St. Croix Crossing on Twitter @stcroixcrossing
• Download the new 511 mobile app or visit www.511mn.org
• Stop by the St. Croix Crossing office at 1862 Greeley St. S., Stillwater. Hours are 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on weekdays.