SAULT STE. MARIE – The Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority board of directors, the bi-national body that supervises operations of the International Bridge, heard reports on a recent bridge inspection at the board’s regular meeting on Nov. 25.

At the meeting, the SSMBA board reviewed and officially accepted the results of the routine detailed inspection of the bridge. A team of bridge engineering experts from the lead firms of Modjeski and Masters, Inc. and COWI North America, Ltd., supported by Great Lakes Engineering Group, LLC, inspected the bridge this summer. The inspection included the entire bridge structure above ground and water.

“The bridge is in overall good condition,” said M&M’s Brad Croop. “The diligence and hard work of the maintenance personnel have sustained the bridge in a state of good repair. Ongoing and planned maintenance and repairs will continue to improve these conditions and preserve the bridge for decades to come.”

The inspectors noted some items that are typical for a 63-year-old bridge, such as corrosion, paint loss, railing damage and localized deck cracking, to be addressed. The IBA staff has included this work in future scheduled maintenance.

“These results continue to reflect the IBA’s ongoing success in maintaining the structure,” said Karl Hansen, IBA bridge engineer. “Our dedicated staff ensures the safety of our customers and protects the public investment in the bridge. We’ve been able to prioritize and address any concerns found in these inspections in a timely way, either through monitoring, contracted repairs or in-house repairs.”

In recognizing the efforts of the small but dedicated maintenance staff, Croop noted the International Bridge’s condition compares very favorably to other bridges of the same general age.

The International Bridge is inspected every year, with the routine inspection alternating with a fracture critical inspection, taking a closer look at components critical to the structural integrity of the bridge, every other year.