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

 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

 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

 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

 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

 United States Army Corps of Engineers  Minnesota DNR  Minnesota Pollution Control Agency  FHWA – David Franklin of the TBWG.  FHWA – New York Office.  FHWA – St. Paul Regional Office.

 U.S. Customs  U.S. Department of State  General Service Administration  U.S. Coast Guard  State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)  Other????

 Ministry of Transportation, Ontario (MTO)  Ontario Ministry of the Environment  Department of Oceans and Fisheries, Canada  Division of Water Quality  Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario  Ministry of Culture, Ontario

 First Nations  Transport Canada, Navigable Waters  Canadian Border Service Agency  Office of Canadian Affairs  Other ???

 Boise Cascade – upstream dam operations  Canadian National Railroad – railroad operations adjacent to bridge  Businesses and activities in Baudette and Rainy River  Other ???

   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

 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

 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 ???

 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