Stillwater bridge still off limits to heavy trucks

Stillwater, Minn. — The Stillwater Lift Bridge over the St. Croix River is open, but only to cars and pickup trucks.

The bridge was closed Monday afternoon for more than five hours, after a truck became wedged beneath its girders.

Kent Barnard, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, says engineers and maintenance crews are checking the structure for damages today before a decision is made on whether to open the bridge to heavier trucks.

"MnDOT bridge engineers, a bridge inspection team and maintenance folks are on the scene currently, assessing the damage to the bridge to determine how much repairs are needed and whether or not the structure would be safe for the heavier, commercial traffic," said Barnard.

In the meantime, trucks are being rerouted south to Interstate 94 at Hudson, Wis.