Lift Bridge

Stillwater Lift Bridge lift schedule

2026 schedule

The 2026 lift bridge schedule ended at 11:59 p.m. on Tue, Oct. 20.

The lift bridge will remain in the down position until next spring unless a lift is requested. Boaters must call MnDOT at 651-234-7110 a minimum of 24 hours in advance to schedule a bridge lift.

Maintenance project began October 19

A project to replace the bridge’s problematic festoon electrical cable and drive motor began on Mon, Oct. 19. The festoon cable provides power for the motor that lifts the span. The work also includes replacing steel platforms, ladders and railings.

During the electrical cable and lift motor replacement, crews will work Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The sidewalk on the south side of the structure will remain open at all times, although the former driving surface will be fenced off along the length of the bridge. The fence will remain in place throughout the project to keep pedestrians and bicyclists out of the work area during the week and then reopen on weekends.

Maintenance work on the bridge is anticipated to be complete by mid-May 2027.

More about the lift bridge lift schedule

The regular lift schedule (set by the U.S. Coast Guard) is in effect from May 15 to Oct. 15 each year. MnDOT may operate the lift bridge before and/or after these dates, if weather and resources permit. The bridge will be staffed full time from 8 a.m. to midnight daily. The bridge will lift on the schedule shown in the graphic above if boat traffic is present.

MnDOT will respond to special openings after 12 midnight with a two-hour notice. Requests are to be made by calling MnDOT’s 24-hour Dispatch at 651-234-7110. Any requests received by marine band radio will be relayed by the bridge tender to the dispatcher.

During periods of the day when the bridge is staffed, bridge tenders will monitor channel 16 on the marine band radio. Upon receiving a call on channel 16, conversations will be switched to channel 14.