Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge
Oversized Loads $350 USD/$430 CAD
Additional axles $3 USD/$4 CAD each
The Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge is a privately owned international toll bridge connecting the towns of Fort Frances, Ontario, and International Falls, Minnesota, across the Rainy River.
The road and rail bridge was built in 1912 by the local paper company, Resolute Forest Products, and is now owned by Aazhogan Limited Partnership, formerly owned by Boise Inc. and Resolute Forest Products, which operated paper mills on the US and Canadian sides of the river, respectively, until the Fort Frances mill closed in 2014. A couplet for northbound vehicles was built in 1980.
The bridge toll is charged in US dollars on northbound traffic. The toll rates are $9 USD/$11 CAD for cars, pickup trucks and motorcycles, $13 USD/$16 CAD for campers, semi-trucks and buses, and $350 USD/$430 CAD for oversized loads, with each additional axle being $3 USD/$4 CAD. Discounted multi-trip swipe cards are available at the area grocery stores. There is no toll collected on southbound trips or for pedestrian traffic.
The bridge carries both road traffic and rail traffic of the Minnesota, Dakota and Western Railway without grade separation. The rails run along the west side of the bridge, which also carries a pipeline between the paper mills. The east side of the bridge carries two lanes of automobile traffic, one in each direction. Trucks and buses are directed to drive on the rail portion of the bridge, which is capable of handling heavier loads.
A dam constructed in 1905 lies immediately west of the bridge. The reservoir to the east of the dam conceals the rapids for which International Falls was named.
The bridge is the northern terminus of US Highway 71 (US 71) and US 53. It connects with Highway 11 and Highway 71, part of the Trans-Canada Highway, on the Ontario side.
International crossing
Customs checkpoints are located on both ends of the bridge for road traffic:
- United States Customs and Border Protection - 2 Second Ave, International Falls;
- Canada Border Services Agency - 101 Church Street, Fort Frances.