CN bridge to be replaced

Ken Johnston
Editor

A landmark that is more than 100 years in age will soon be replaced in Rainy River!
The first International Bridge, the CN Railway bridge, was built in 1901. Jim Feeny of CNR said that it was built to last 100 years and now the company is looking to replace it.
Rumours of a brand new and two track bridge were slightly exaggerated. In fact CNR plans to replace the superstructure (i.e. the steel upper part of the bridge) with one that will look exactly the same. The only difference is that the center span will not be designed to turn like the original bridge did to accommodate riverboat traffic.
The project will take place in two stages beginning this spring. Crews will work on the sub-structures and abutments doing, “maintenance and upgrades,” said Feeny.
The cement piers apparently are in excellent shape and will be reused to hold the new superstructure. Steel plates will be either added or replaced to deal with ice damage prevention to them.
The second stage will take place in the spring of 2004 when the superstructure is replaced piece by piece. “Some of the steel will arrive this summer and be placed near the bridge. Next year the trusses will basically be done in a slide one out, slide one in process,” explained Feeny.
Despite the major undertaking, Feeny said there will be little disruption to rail traffic through Rainy River. “There will be work blocks allocated that could last one hour or 18 hours.” During those times the line will be shut down to traffic, however there will never be a disruption to traffic volumes in the area.
Feeny did not know what the exact cost of the project will be, but did say, “It is a substantial investment by the company.”
The work will mostly be done by contractors and not CNR employees. Completion is expected to be in the fall of 2004.