Clair–Fort Kent Bridge

The Clair–Fort Kent Bridge is a steel truss bridge crossing the Saint John River between Clair, New Brunswick in Canada and Fort Kent, Maine in the United States.

Clair – Fort Kent Bridge
Clair – Fort Kent Bridge During April 2008 Flood
Coordinates47°14′57.3″N 68°36′13.6″W
Carries US 1 / SR 161 and Route 205
CrossesSaint John River
LocaleCanada–United States border
OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
ID number2398
Characteristics
DesignTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel beams
Total length221.93 m (728.1 ft)
Width12.2 m
No. of spans3
Load limitM 18
Clearance above1.5 m
History
Construction start1929
Construction end1930
Replacescable ferry, cable suspension footbridge
Statistics
Daily traffic958 (2010)
Location

The bridge handles approximately 279,490 vehicle crossings per year and forms a border crossing on the International Boundary. It connects with Route 205 in New Brunswick and Route 161 and U.S. Route 1 (US 1) in Maine, also forming the northern terminus of US 1.

Since it is an international bridge, the Canadian portion of the structure is the responsibility of the Province of New Brunswick, while the American portion is operated by the State of Maine. The bridge was built in 1929–30 as a replacement for an existing cable ferry and a cable suspension footbridge. The bridge has three steel through-truss spans of 73.15 m (240.0 ft) each for a total length of 221.93 m (728.1 ft).

In 1995, the first pier from the New Brunswick abutment had major repairs done. In 1997, the steel members under the deck in the first 1.5 spans from the New Brunswick end were sandblasted, and then painted with a primer of inorganic zinc. In the same year, the downstream exterior stringers in these 1.5 spans were replaced. In 1998, the downstream concrete curb in the first 1.5 spans from the New Brunswick end was replaced. In 2000, the New Brunswick end concrete abutment underwent a major restoration.

Replacement

In January 2011, the Maine Department of Transportation imposed a 2.7 ton weight restriction on the bridge after advanced deterioration of the bridge on Maine's side was discovered during a routine inspection. On January 28, 2011, officials from New Brunswick and Maine announced plans to build a new bridge and demolish the existing structure.[1] Construction began on the new bridge in 2012 and the estimated completion date is June 30, 2014. It is expected to cost $13.9 million.[2]

The new bridge opened on July 31, 2014. Demolition of the old bridge was underway by September 29, 2014.[3][4]

Border crossing
Main article: Fort Kent–Clair Border Crossing

The Fort Kent - Clair Border Crossing is at the Clair–Fort Kent Bridge on the Canada–United States border. This crossing first opened in 1905 with the construction of a footbridge that traversed the Saint John River. A replacement for the steel bridge that was built in 1930 opened July 31, 2014.

See also
  •  Transport portal
  •  Engineering portal
  •  Canada portal

References
  1. "Clair-Fort Kent Bridge to be replaced". Government of New Brunswick. January 28, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  2. Bayly, Julia (July 25, 2013). "New international bridge at Fort Kent will be open in time for World Acadian Congress". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  3. Bayly, Julia (July 31, 2014). "Ceremony marks opening of the new international bridge in Fort Kent". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  4. Bayly, Julia (September 30, 2014). "Demolition of old international bridge in Fort Kent underway". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
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