Baudette, MN/Rainy River, ONT International Bridge

Project

HELP !!!!!!

International border bridge located over the Rainy River on the Minnesota Trunk Highway 72 and Ontario Provincial Highway 11

This route provides access to and from Baudette, Minnesota and Rainy River, Ontario, a connection between the United States and Canada as well as a full-service, 24-hour Port of Entry

Operated as a toll bridge until 1988

Background

Project Location

This project was initiated as a result of the Chapter 152 funding intended to address structural issues

This bridge was constructed in 1959 with a total length of 1,285 feet, a 2-lane roadway with a width of 24 feet and an open grate steel deck

The bridge is classified as fracture critical (non redundant) and has a sufficiency rating of 48.8 out of 100

Project Need

6-Foot Wooden Walkway

Open Grate Steel Deck

There is substantial section loss (up to 50%) on some members

The steel truss exhibits pack rust and free edge distortion on many gusset plate connections

The knee bracing on the overhead truss members were removed after being impacted a number of times

Active corrosion on the structural members will continue to reduce the structural capacity of this bridge over time

Project Need

Stringer and Deck Corrosion

Stringer/Floor Beam Connections

Floor Beam Section Loss and Corrosion

Distortion at Truss Connections

Bridge can support normal weight loads, but not ‘permitted’ overweight loads (Type B and C) and over-dimensional loads (over 14.7’ high)

Both high and wide loads have impacted the vertical and overhead truss members

Microbial induced corrosion (corrosion due to water-borne bacteria) is evident on the steel caissons

Project Need

Bridge Hit

Bridge Railing Condition

The project is currently scheduled for a November letting in 2017, but could potentially be let sometime between 2016 and June of 2018

Ontario has finished their Cultural Heritage Evaluation process; MnDOT will start its historical process soon

Steps from this point are dependent of the results of the historical process

Project Timelines

United States Army Corps of Engineers

Minnesota DNRMinnesota Pollution Control AgencyFHWA – David Franklin of the TBWG.

FHWA – New York Office. FHWA – St. Paul Regional Office.

Expected Agency Involvement From U.S./Minnesota

U.S. CustomsU.S. Department of StateGeneral Service AdministrationU.S. Coast GuardState Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

Other????

Expected Agency Involvement From U.S./Minnesota

Ministry of Transportation, Ontario (MTO)

Ontario Ministry of the EnvironmentDepartment of Oceans and Fisheries,

CanadaDivision of Water QualityMinistry of Natural Resources, OntarioMinistry of Culture, Ontario

Expected Agency Involvement From Canada/Ontario

First NationsTransport Canada, Navigable Waters

Canadian Border Service AgencyOffice of Canadian AffairsOther ???

Expected Agency Involvement From Canada/Ontario

Boise Cascade – upstream dam operations

Canadian National Railroad – railroad operations adjacent to bridge

Businesses and activities in Baudette and Rainy River

Other ???

Other Anticipated Stakeholders

MTO has determined that this bridge does not qualify for the Ontario Heritage Bridge List, and thus does not consider rehabilitation as a viable option

Discussions have taken place considering each partner build their half and meet at the center of the river

Recent experience has shown agencies from Canada, U.S., Minnesota and Ontario will not recognize authority being limited to the international border

Expected Challenges

Labor and contracting laws differ in each country

Developing an agreement to transfer dollars from one government entity to the other could prove challenging

Geometric standards differ slightly for the transportation agencies

Expected Challenges

Materials requirements, such as concrete and steel, need to be kept as uniform as possible so the bridge reacts consistently

Needs of the communities, businesses and border facilities will need to be addressed

Other ???

Expected Challenges

Cooperative Agreement between Minnesota and Ontario is still in development

Will need to address/resolve many of the challenges identified

Ontario’s comments on the draft agreement reflect their desire to have each partner build ½ of the bridge

Cooperative Agreement

Questions/Comments?