HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1984 (21)
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING REPLACEMENT OF STILLWATER BRIDGE AND THE UPGRADING.
of 5TH 35 and 64.
Resolution #
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WHEREAS, the present Stillwater Bridge located between Stillwater,
Minnesota and the Village of Houlton in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, is an
older two lane bridge, containing a lift which permits certain 5t. Croix
River boat traffic to cross under it; and
WHEREAS, between the months of May and September of each year the
existing situation concerning the Stillwater Bridge causes vehicular traffic
to back-up on bath sides of the bridge at various times during those .months;
and
WHEREAS, in particular, the vehicular traffic back-up and associated '
traffic congestion between the Stillwater Bridge and the Village of Somerset, i
in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, along STH 35 and 64, is a serious problem
during the summer months of each year; and
WHEREAS, this serious vehicular traffic back-up and traffic congestion
problem is caused by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the
lifting of the Stillwater Bridge for St. Croix River traffic during hours
of peak vehicular traffic, large numbers of floaters returning from floating
on the Apple River to the State of Minnesota via the Stillwater Bridge, Twin
Cities area residents returning from travel or vacationing in Northwestern
Wisconsin, Twin Cities area residents returning from automobile speedways
and racetracks located in Northwestern Wisconsin, and, in general, the
frequency of West Central and Northwestern Wisconsin residents travelling
to the Twin Cities area by way of the Stillwater Bridge; and
WHEREAS, said vehicular traffic back-up and traffic congestion on
STH 35 and 64 has resulted in serious loss of life, numerous personal in-
juries, and damage to property; and
WHEREAS, the situation outlined above furthermore results in additional
law enforcement officers having traffic responsibilities being dedicated to
patrolling-STH 35 and 64 between the Stillwater Bridge and the Village of
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Somerset in St. Croix County, Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, the Highway Committee of the St. Croix County Board of Super-
visors, together with Highway Commissioner Thomas O'Keefe, acting in response
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in the above mentioned problems, have commenced a study of the above
mentioned problems.
N4W THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the 5t. Croix County Board of
Supervisors, meeting in regular session, that the County Board go on
record as supporting the Highway Committee and Highway Commissioner
O'Keefe in their efforts to persuade the Wisconsin Department of Trans-
. portatian together with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to
give the replacement of the Stillwater Bridge over the St. Croix River
and the upgrading of STH 35 and 64 between the Stillwater Bridge and
the Village of Somerset in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the highest
priority possible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Board join the efforts of
the Highway Committee and the Highway Commissioner O'Keefe in an attempt
tv demonstrate to both State's Departments of Transportation that these
_ projects should receive the highest priority passible, particularly with
respect to the very serious lass of life, numerous personal injuries, and
damage to personal property resulting from these stated problems.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that employees of St. Croix County shall
assist the County Baard, the Highway Committee, and Highway Commissioner
O'Keefe in their attempt to demonstrate the seriousness of the above stated
problems.
B E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copYes of thYS resolution be
immediately sent by the County Clerk for St. Croix County to Governor Earl
of the State of Wisconsin, Governor Perpich of the State of Minnesota, area
Legislators, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Depart-
ment of Transportation, and those municipalities affected by the problems
related to the Stillwater Bridge and the traffic congestion on STH 35 and 64.
Dated this ~ da of , 1984. Y
HI HWAY COMMITTEE
Negative Affirmative
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