HUDSON, WI (WTAQ) - Thousands of Wisconsinites who work in Minnesota’s Twin Cities will have to find a new way to get to work this fall.

The Stillwater Lift Bridge north of Hudson will be closed from September through December, so workers can make almost $3.5 million worth of improvements.

Todd Clarkowski of Minnesota’s DOT says the 80-year-old lift bridge will get a variety of new components, including electrical items. And among other things, guardrails will be replaced along with curbs and gutters.

A Sauk County contractor, Edward Kraemer and Sons, submitted the winning bid for the project. An open house on the project will be held today from 4-7 p.m. at the Stillwater City Hall.

The lift bridge will be replaced later this decade by a new four-lane bridge a few miles to the south.