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 / 48.7192°N 94.5903°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 |
| Location | |
 | |
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 sides 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
editA new replacement bridge has been completed and opened to traffic in October 2020.[3] Destruction of the old structure has begun and is expected to be completed by fall 2021 when a Grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new bridge will take place.
Border crossing
editThe 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
edit- ^ "Ontario Provincial Bridges - North Western Region" (PDF). Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
- ^ "The Baudette - Rainy River International Bridge" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. May 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "Baudette / Rainy River International Bridge Replacement". Minnesota Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
48°43′9″N 94°35′25″W / 48.71917°N 94.59028°W
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