Bridge Closure Could Benefit Local Business

The Stillwater Lift Bridge that links far western Wisconsin to the Twin Cities suburbs is closed for repairs until the end of the year. It will be a headache for some drivers and businesses, but others welcome the closure.

At 80 years old and counting, it is no surprise that the Stillwater Lift Bridge needs repairs. The latest round will put the living monument out of commission for three months. While this is sure to be a headache for commuters, who can look forward to doubling their drive time, businesses are saying: bring it on.

Cory Buettner owns Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop in Stillwater, Min. He says having the 10,000 plus commuters that cross the lift bridge every day being rerouted is a mixed blessing. “It hurts because we take away the Wisconsin traffic that sometimes partakes in our business, but, at the same time, we’re trying to appeal to our local residents to come downtown and to enjoy a congestion free historic district.”

Buettner says traffic congestion keeps people away from his downtown and when the bridge is closed either for repairs or flooding, he usually gets more customers. “We have a patio at Leo’s, which definitely sees an uptick in business when the bridge is shut down. It’s just a quiet, peaceful experience.”

On the Wisconsin side, in New Richmond, the local chamber of commerce is looking forward to the bridge closure too. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Russ Korpela says they are using it in a shop local Christmas campaign, “What was a 20 to 30 minute drive to the big box stores in Stillwater and Oak Park Heights is now 40 to 60 minutes, and so we believe that is going to be an extra incentive for people to stay closer to home and shop locally.”

The lift bridge is undergoing major mechanical and structural repairs and is expected to reopen by the end of December.