Tom Warne Report, 8 March 2013
Saint Paul Pioneer Press – March 4, 2013
Transportation officials have announced the winner of a contract to build the foundation of the new St. Croix River bridge south of Stillwater. Edward Kraemer and Sons of Plain, Wis., was awarded the $36.7 million contract this week, according to Jon Chiglo, Minnesota Department of Transportation project director for the St. Croix Crossing. Kraemer was selected out of six bidders, with the highest bid coming in at $60.6 million.
Foundation work will begin next month and continue through early summer 2014. The foundation work includes constructing five river piers up to 15 feet above normal river elevation, supported by 9 foot diameter shafts drilled 120 feet deep, Chiglo said.
The award marks an important milestone for the controversial project which has faced delays from legal challenges. “I believe that this is the furthest this project has gotten,” Chiglo said.
Construction is scheduled to begin on the bridge superstructure in 2014. Bidding for that contract, as well as the construction of the bridge deck and the substructure on the approach spans, will begin in September, he said.
