The Wisconsin and Minnesota Departments of Transportation are working on a plan for a new $40 million bridge over the St. Croix River in Osceola, Wis.
The current Minnesota/Wisconsin 243 bridge was built in 1953 and needs to be replaced, according to transportation officials.
Among the issues that need to be addressed are bridge conditions, stormwater drainage and pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, officials said.
Plans for the new bridge call for the construction of a shared-use path on the north side of Highway 243 in Minnesota and Wisconsin and on the bridge.
Transportation officials are asking for public review and comment on the Highway 243 bridge reconstruction project. The 30-day public comment period began Tuesday and closes Dec. 26.
Site preparation work is expected to begin in fall 2026, with major bridge construction scheduled for spring 2027. The work will require the bridge to be closed from spring 2027 to fall 2028; The new bridge is expected to be completed in spring 2029.
During the bridge closure, motorists are expected to be diverted to the US 8 bridge at Taylors Falls and the Minnesota 36 bridge at Oak Park Heights. According to transportation officials, travel time between the Osceola and Taylors Falls bridges is approximately 15 minutes. Travel time between the Osceola and Oak Park Heights bridges is approximately 30 minutes.
A public hearing on the proposed improvements will be held in the Osceola High School cafeteria and large group instruction room on December 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.; there will be a presentation at 5:30 p.m. A court reporter will be available to provide oral comments, and comment cards will be available for those who wish to provide written comments for the public.
Copies of the environmental assessment, which documents the purpose and need for the project along with its potential environmental impacts, are available to the public during business hours at the MnDOT Metro District Water’s Edge Building in Roseville and the WisDOT Northwest Region-Eau Claire Office in Eau Claire, Wis.
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It is also available at Osceola Village Hall; Franconia Town Hall; Osceola’s Wilberg Memorial Public Library; the Taylors Falls Public Library and the St. Croix Falls, Wis. Public Library.
Comments can be emailed to MnDOT Project Manager Dmitry Tomasevich at MnDOT, 1500 W. County Road B2, Roseville, MN 55113 or by email at dmitry.tomasevich@state.mn .us prior to the close of the public comment period on December 26.
An electronic copy of the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet will be accessible beginning Tuesday on MnDOT’s project website at mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy243osceola/.
The bridge is jointly owned and operated by MnDOT and WisDOT; MnDOT officials are taking the lead on the project.
