Zebra Mussels Halt Work On St. Croix Bridge

ST. CROIX RIVER, Minn. (WCCO) -- A tiny threat has stopped work on the new St. Croix River bridge.

The DNR says inspectors discovered zebra mussels on a half-dozen construction barges.

They were stopped before they got in the river.

The Wisconsin company that owns the barges says it decontaminated them, but didn't scrape the hulls.

Zebra mussels are a problem because they can damage boats, clog pipes, and cut your feet.

The St. Croix Crossing will replace the Stillwater Lift Bridge, and it's scheduled to open in 2016.