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
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

A 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

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. "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.
2. "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.
3. "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