Canada and Ontario to invest in Rainy River-Baudette International Bridge replacement project

The Canadian and Ontario Governments have agreed to invest in the joint Canada-US project to replace the Rainy River-Baudette International Bridge.

The bridge is located at the Canada-US border on Highway 11 in Rainy River, Ontario, and on the Minnesota Trunk Highway 72 in Baudette, Minnesota, and jointly owned by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River member of parliament Don Rusnak said: "The Government of Canada is committed to investing in infrastructure projects that contribute to economic development, create middle-class jobs, and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

“The replacement of the Rainy River-Baudette International Bridge will support tourism and trade between Canada and the US, and foster long-term prosperity today and in the future.”

The project scope includes design and construction of a new bridge and removal of the existing bridge, which will be replaced by a new bridge featuring widened lanes and shoulders, as well as guide rails, a sidewalk and an improved load capacity.

For this project, the Canadian Government will provide C$13m ($10.3m) from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, and the Ontario Government will be responsible for all the remaining costs incurred on the Canadian portion of the bridge.

Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle said: “The new Rainy River-Baudette International Bridge will be an important connection and will serve the people of northwestern Ontario well.

“Ontario is a world leader in moving people and goods safely, efficiently and sustainably, and this new bridge will help us ensure we remain a world leader.”