MnDOT, in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has completed the replacement of the Baudette/Rainy River International Bridge on Hwy 72.
The construction began in 2018 to create a safer and longer lasting bridge as well as a safer walkway for pedestrians and shoulders for bicyclists. The contractor for the $39.3 million project is Lunda Construction Co.
The old bridge, built in 1959, was a 1,283-ft., six-span steel truss bridge over the Rainy River, consisting of one lane in each direction with a 5.9-ft.-wide sidewalk.
The new 1,350-ft. bridge has one-lane in each direction and a six foot sidewalk on one side.