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Baudette, MN/Rainy River, ONT International Bridge Project. HELP !!!!!!. Background. I nternational border bridge located over the Rainy River on the Minnesota Trunk Highway 72 and Ontario Provincial Highway 11
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Background • 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
Project Need • 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 • 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 • 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 Timelines • 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; MnDOTwill start its historical process soon • Steps from this point are dependent of the results of the historical process
Expected Agency Involvement From U.S./Minnesota • 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.
Expected Agency Involvement From U.S./Minnesota • U.S. Customs • U.S. Department of State • General Service Administration • U.S. Coast Guard • State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) • Other????
Expected Agency Involvement From Canada/Ontario • 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
Expected Agency Involvement From Canada/Ontario • First Nations • Transport Canada, Navigable Waters • Canadian Border Service Agency • Office of Canadian Affairs • Other ???
Other Anticipated Stakeholders • Boise Cascade – upstream dam operations • Canadian National Railroad – railroad operations adjacent to bridge • Businesses and activities in Baudette and Rainy River • Other ???
Expected Challenges • 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 ???
Cooperative Agreement • 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