Message from Tom Dougherty
As property owners, our primary concern is the potential reduction in water flow to the dam due to the new construction of abutments, pilings, and columns. The construction plans indicate that some of the work will take place in the deepest portion of the channel, which could exacerbate this issue.
Furthermore, during the construction of the rail crossing in 1908, blasting rubble was left in the water, creating what is often referred to as “The Dam Before Dam.” Our association has requested that CN be required to remove this rubble to prevent any further reduction in water flow. Jeff Kantor’s data from the 2022 flood indicates that a 10% reduction in flow could raise the peak flood level by 14 inches.
Our secondary concern is navigation. CN has been uncooperative in keeping the navigation channel open for larger vessels when the bridge is down. Which also poses a safety concern for all mariners. The National Park Service constructed a pier to accommodate the 65′ Voyageur Tour Boat, which has not been utilized due to train traffic and CN’s uncooperative practices.
This is your opportunity to share your concerns with the relevant authorities. Remember, the world is run by those who show up!
Please read the linked pdf below and the letter sent from USCG Michael Odell Walker – Bridge Management Specialist
https://rlpoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/D09_PN02-.pdf
AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC NOTICE: Proposed Partial Replacement of the Canadian National Railroad Bridge, Across the Rainy River, Mile 85.0, Ranier, Koochiching County, Minnesota
Good Day:
I am sending the following information on behalf of Mr. W. Blair Stanifer, Chief, Bridge Branch, Ninth Coast Guard District, regarding an application for a proposed bridge replacement construction project. Please feel free to forward this to colleagues, your membership, or any agency, business, association, or individuals who you think may have an interest in this project. You can contact me with any questions or comments. If this has reached you in error or is not relevant to you, please feel free to disregard this information. Thank you.
*****AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC NOTICE*****
An application has been received by Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, from Wisconsin Central, Limited (WCL), (hereinafter referred to as the “Applicants”) for a United States Coast Guard Bridge Permit. WCL proposes to replace the movable span of the Canadian National Railroad Bridge, across the Rainy River, Mile 85.0, between Rainier, Koochiching County, Minnesota and Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. The proposed replacement would shift the navigable channel at the project location by approximately 15.00-feet. It would provide 11.00-feet of minimum vertical navigation clearance in the closed position and 84.00-feet of vertical clearance across a 90.00-feet wide navigation channel in the open position. The proposed replacement would provide a horizontal clearance of 125.00-feet face-to-face of the piers in the closed position, and 90.00-feet of horizontal navigation clearance in the open position. It will not result in a change to vertical or horizontal navigational clearances. WCL proposes the use of temporary structures to be used in the removal of the existing movable span and construction of the proposed movable replacement. Final dimensions of those proposed temporary structures have not been determined.
Public Notice 09-02-25 dated 27 June 2025 contains a detailed description of the proposed bridge project including location maps and bridge drawings with navigational clearances. Interested parties may access the notice at the following website: Public Notices for Bridges | Navigation Center. The public notice may also be obtained by calling the Coast Guard District Bridge Branch at 216-902-6087, by writing to Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District (dpb), 1240 E.. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44199, or by email request to michael.o.walker2@uscg.mil.
Interested parties are requested to express their views, in writing, on the proposed bridge project including its possible impacts to the environment and navigation. Comments will be received for the record at the address given in Public Notice 09-02-25 through 28 July 2025.
Michael Odell Walker
Bridge Management Specialist
9th Coast Guard District (dpb)