MnDOT Stops Tug of War on Minnesota Lift Bridge

Last year, organizers in the city of Stillwater and Hudson planned and held a big tug-of-war battle between Vikings and Packers fans before kickoff of the border battle matchup, but this year MnDOT said no to the event.

The border battle tug-of-war event was planned for January on the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge. The bridge closed to all traffic in 2017 and reopened to foot and bike traffic in 2020. Even though the bridge was used last year, MnDOT declined the permit to use the structure for the upcoming event.

Why MnDOT Said No This Year

The Pioneer Press reports that MnDOT shut down this year’s plan because it does not want to create a precedent issue that would make it harder to decide what events are allowable on the bridge in the future. Officials also highlighted the historic nature of the bridge and their desire to maintain consistency in how the space is managed.

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Because of MnDOT’s decision, event organizers are moving the tug-of-war to Hudson at the causeway of the Old Hudson Toll Bridge, better known as the Hudson Dike. The event is set for 10 AM on January 4.

Keeping The Tradition Alive

Last year’s event drew about 300 competitors and raised four thousand dollars for first responders in the St. Croix River Valley. Organizers hope to keep the event going each year by rotating locations between Hudson and Stillwater. The border battle tug-of-war has quickly become a quirky slice of Midwest rivalry, the kind of thing only Vikings and Packers fans would take so seriously and love so completely.

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Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth