More problems have hit the controversial international bridge linking Fort Frances and International Falls after a truck heading into the U.S. used the wrong lane Friday morning and may have caused structural damage.
The lane along the west side of the bridge, designed for lighter vehicles like cars, remains closed after the truck drove onto it and bent it out of shape.
Traffic bound for the U.S. is being diverted down the centre lane (normally reserved for truck, bus, and rail traffic). Traffic coming into Canada on the east lane is not affected.
“My understanding is the truck had driven on the cantilever portion of the bridge, which is hooked onto the main column of the bridge,” explained Bob Anderson, public affairs manager for Boise Cascade in International Falls.
When the truck entered the lane, the metal platform sunk about a foot below the level of the asphalt surface leading up to the bridge at the Canadian end.
The truck immediately backed off the bridge.
The lane, which is not supported by columns, will remain closed for an undetermined length of time while the damage is assessed and then repaired.
“We have some structural engineers coming to look at it,” said Anderson. “They figure that it’s going to take them until the end of the week.
“Probably Monday we would hope to have a report in our hands,” he added.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
