STILLWATER — A groundbreaking ceremony for the new St. Croix River bridge is the culmination of lengthy political struggles and lawsuits over the project that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin’s economic and transit interests.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said a lot of people believed the project would never happen. And now that it’s a reality, Klobuchar said she hopes it will become a symbol of unity, rather than divisiveness. The Minnesota Democrat’s support for the bridge put her at odds with political allies and environmentalists.

Today’s groundbreaking at Lowell Park in Stillwater will kick off four years of construction on the $629 million bridge. It replaces the old Stillwater Lift Bridge which will become part of a hiking and biking trail. The new four-lane span links the two states along Highway 36.