Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge
The Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge is a privately owned international toll bridge connecting the towns of Fort Frances, Ontario, and International Falls, Minnesota, across the Rainy River.
Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Satellite view of the bridge, on the right. A power dam is on the left. | |
| Coordinates | 48°36′26″N 93°24′07″W / 48.6072°N 93.4019°W |
| Carries |   US 53 / US 71 and  Highway 71 |
| Crosses | Rainy River |
| Locale | Fort Frances, Ontario |
| Owner | Aazhogan |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Parker Truss bridge and Half-through plate girder bridge (southbound) Concrete Girder bridge (northbound) |
| Total length | 941 feet (287 m) |
| Width | 12.5 feet (3.8 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1912 (1980 northbound couplet) |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | Cars/Pickups/Motorcycles $9 USD/$11 CAD
Campers/Semi-Trucks/Busses $13 USD/$16 CAD Oversized Loads $350 USD/$430 CAD Additional axles $3 USD/$4 CAD each |
| Location | |
 | |
The road and rail bridge was built in 1912 by the local paper company, Resolute Forest Products, and as of 2023 is owned by Aazhogan Limited Partnership. Previous owners include Boise Inc. and Resolute, which operated paper mills on the US and Canadian sides of the river, respectively, until the Fort Frances mill closed in 2014.[1] A couplet for northbound vehicles was built in 1980.
The bridge toll is charged in US dollars on northbound traffic. As of early 2024, the toll rates are $9 USD/$11 CAD for cars, pickup trucks and motorcycles, $13 USD/$16 CAD for campers, semi-trucks and buses, and $350 USD/$430 CAD for oversized loads, with each additional axle being $3 USD/$4 CAD.[2] Discounted multi-trip swipe cards are available at the area grocery stores.[3][4] A commuter card, which provides 12 prepaid crossings, is available from local businesses for $72 USD/$90 CAD. There is no toll collected on southbound trips or for pedestrian traffic.
The bridge carries both road traffic and rail traffic of the Minnesota, Dakota and Western Railway without grade separation. The rails run along the west side of the bridge, which also carries a pipeline between the paper mills. The east side of the bridge carries two lanes of automobile traffic, one in each direction. Trucks and buses are directed to drive on the rail portion of the bridge, which is capable of handling heavier loads.
A dam constructed in 1905 lies immediately west of the bridge. The reservoir to the east of the dam conceals the rapids for which International Falls was named.[5]
The bridge is the northern terminus of US Highway 71 (US 71) and US 53. It connects with Highway 11 and Highway 71, part of the Trans-Canada Highway, on the Ontario side.
International crossing
editCustoms checkpoints are located on both ends of the bridge for road traffic:
- United States Customs and Border Protection - 2 Second Ave, International Falls
- Canada Border Services Agency - 101 Church Street, Fort Frances
Gallery
edit-
Border crossing into Fort Frances, Ontario
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References
edit- ^ CBC Thunder Bay: "Demolition of former pulp and paper mill underway in Fort Frances, Ont. ", November 25, 2020.
- ^ fftimes (October 11, 2023). "Aazhogan LP announces updated toll structure for the Fort Frances – International Falls crossing". Fort Frances Times. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Toll prices to jump slightly--for now". Times Online. June 28, 2000. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ "International Falls / Fort Frances". Ezbordercrossing.com. June 20, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ Rainy Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Things to Do". Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2009.