New bridge could cost $70 million

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Last week someone told the Record that the international bridge will be replaced in 2015, not 2018 as originally reported in 2008.
However, after looking into the matter, the Record was told by Joe McKinnon, Planning Engineer with Minnesota’s Department of Transportation that its plans are still in place for a 2018 replacement.
“As part of legislation passed by the 2008 Minnesota Legislature additional funding was provided to replace 120 deficient bridges in the state and this international border bridge is one of those identified,” said McKinnon.
McKinnon said that Minnesota and Ontario plan to share the costs of a new bridge. “Preliminary cost estimates for replacement are in the range of $50 to $70 million,” he noted.
A preliminary engineering investigation will begin this spring to look at location for a new bridge. “At this time it is anticipated to replace the bridge with a new bridge next to the existing bridge,” said McKinnon. The old bridge would remain open until the new one is completed.
There have been several meetings between Minnesota and Ontario and at this time there are no plans to put a toll on the bridge.
McKinnon also said they will also look at rehabilitation of the old bridge depending on historical value of it.
In 2008 DoT reported that the existing bridge is classified as a Tier 1, fracture critical. “The bridge has a steel superstructure with tension carrying members arranged in a manner that if one fails the bridge could collapse. It does not mean the bridge is unsafe but other bridges that are “fracture critical” do not even make the MN DoT list for repairs until 2028.”