Baudette–Rainy River International Bridge

The Baudette – Rainy River International Bridge is an international bridge connecting Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, with Baudette, Minnesota, United States, across the Rainy River.

Baudette – Rainy River International Bridge
International Bridge seen from the Canadian side
Coordinates	48°43′09″N 94°35′25″W
Carries	2 lanes of MN 72 and Highway 11, pedestrian traffic
Crosses	Rainy River
Locale	Rainy River, Ontario
Owner	Ontario and Minnesota
Characteristics
Design	steel truss
Material	steel
Total length	391 metres (1,283 ft)
Width	7.3 metres (24 ft)
No. of spans	6
Clearance above	4.5 metres (15 ft) (above road deck)
Clearance below	Rainy River
History
Constructed by	Barnett-McQueen Ltd
Construction start	1958
Construction end	1960
Opened	July 30, 1960
Statistics
Toll	1960-1988

The bridge marks the western terminus of Ontario Highway 11 (as Atwood Avenue) and the northern terminus of Minnesota State Highway 72 (International Drive). The bridge is owned by Ontario and Minnesota, and is managed by MTO (with funding from the Government of Canada) and MnDOT, respectively.[1] The bridge carries 2 lanes of traffic and a 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) sidewalk for pedestrian traffic.[2] Customs plazas are located on both side of the bridge.

Downriver from the bridge is Baudette-Rainy River Rail Bridge, built in 1901 for Ontario and Rainy River Railway and now used by CN Rail.

Replacement

Plans for a replacement bridge is under way and construction is planned to begin around 2018.[3] The new bridge, an I-beam girder, will be built about 1 metre (3.3 ft) downstream so the current structure can continue to be utilized during the construction period.

Border crossing

Main article: Baudette–Rainy River Border Crossing

The Baudette–Rainy River Border Crossing connects the cities of Baudette, Minnesota and Rainy River, Ontario at the Baudette–Rainy River International Bridge. The Port of Entry was established in 1960 when the International Bridge was completed. Prior to 1960, the cities were connected via point-to-point ferry service as well as a railroad bridge.

References

1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-09-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d2/projects/baudette-bridge/pdfs/public-meeting-3/pic_brd-5_background.pdf
3. http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d2/projects/baudette-bridge/index.html

The Rainy River Record

48°43′9″N 94°35′25″W