International Avenue Bridge

Last updated
International Avenue Bridge
Coordinates 45°09′40″N67°18′11″W / 45.161°N 67.303°W / 45.161; -67.303
CarriesNB 1.svg Route 1
CrossesSt. Croix River
LocaleSt. Stephen, New Brunswick
History
Construction start2006
OpenedNovember 16, 2009
Location
International Avenue Bridge

The International Avenue Bridge is an international bridge across the St. Croix River, connecting the town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick in Canada with the town of Calais, Maine in the United States.

Contents

It is the third, busiest, and newest bridge connecting the two communities, in addition to the Ferry Point International Bridge and the Milltown International Bridge. [1] The International Avenue Bridge serves commercial, cargo, trucking, passenger vehicles, campers, RVs, buses and other heavy and through traffic, while both the Ferry Point and Milltown crossings remain in use for passenger vehicles and local traffic, which could also use the International Avenue Bridge. [2]

Border crossing

The International Avenue Border Crossing connects the towns of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick via the International Avenue Bridge. The opening of the crossing in 2009 marked the first time since 1961 (when the Union Bridge was closed) that there have been three bridges connecting Calais with St. Stephen. Currently, all commercial vehicles crossing between these towns must use this crossing.

History

The bridge received US approval in 2006. [3]

Although both facilities began actual operations with the bridge opening on November 16, 2009, the United States Customs facility in Calais was officially opened by Senator Susan Collins on November 23, [4] while the Canada Customs facility in St. Stephen was officially opened by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on January 8, 2010. [2] The new bridge represents the first new Canada–US border crossing between the US and Canada in over 40 years.

Connecting routes

On the New Brunswick side, since October 2012, the bridge connects to New Brunswick Route 1, a four-lane freeway proceeding northeast from the border, through Saint John, and connecting with New Brunswick Route 2, the main route of the Trans-Canada Highway, at River Glade near Moncton.

In Maine, the bridge connects to US 1, a major route along Maine's Atlantic coast and its border areas with New Brunswick; and Maine State Route 9, a link to Interstate 95 at Bangor.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanceboro–St. Croix Border Crossing</span>

The Vanceboro–St. Croix Border Crossing connects the towns of Vanceboro, Maine and Saint Croix, New Brunswick on the Canada–United States border. The Canadian government has at times called this crossing McAdam, named for the larger municipality east of St. Croix. In the early 1900s, this crossing was located at the adjacent lock structure a short distance to the north. At some point in the distant past, a bridge existed to the south of the railroad bridge, extending from Public Crossing Road on the Canadian side. Concrete footings for this bridge remain on the US side at this site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calais–Milltown Border Crossing</span>

The Calais–Milltown Border Crossing connects the towns of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick on the Canada–US border. This crossing is located at the Milltown International Bridge. Various bridges have existed at this location since 1825. Canada built its border crossing station in 1967. The US border station was built in 1938 and was rebuilt in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Avenue Border Crossing</span>

The International Avenue Border Crossing connects the towns of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick via the International Avenue Bridge on the Canada–US border. The crossing opened on November 16, 2009, and was the first new border crossing to open on the Canada–US border in 42 years. The opening of the crossing marked the first time since 1961 that there have been three bridges connecting Calais with St. Stephen. Currently, all commercial vehicles crossing between these towns must use this crossing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferry Point Border Crossing</span>

The Ferry Point Bridge Crossing connects the towns of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick on the Canada–US border. This crossing is located at the Ferry Point International Bridge. Various bridges have existed at this location since 1826. In 1847, a more substantial covered toll bridge was completed. It was replaced by a steel bridge in 1895 that featured a streetcar line, and it no longer required payment of a toll. This bridge was for many years the principal crossing point between the two communities. In 2009, after the completion of the International Avenue Border Crossing, commercial trucks were prohibited from crossing the border at this location, significantly reducing the through truck traffic passing through the nearby downtown areas.

References

  1. "Chapter 1: Eastern Maine". United Divide: A Linear Portrait of the USA/Canada Border. The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Winter 2015. Archived from the original on 2018-12-10. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
  2. 1 2 "Importance of trade corridor recognized". The Telegraph-Journal , January 9, 2010.
  3. "U.S. gives go ahead to third bridge" Archived 2008-09-27 at the Wayback Machine , St. Croix Courier, September 26, 2006.
  4. "Calais border crossing officially opened" [ permanent dead link ]. Bangor Daily News , November 24, 2009.