Discover 4 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Fort Frances (Canada). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge, Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre, and Memorial Sports Centre. Also, be sure to include International Falls–Fort Frances Border Crossing in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Fort Frances (Ontario).
Table of Contents
Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge
Girder bridge. 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, and is still jointly owned by Boise Inc. and Resolute Forest Products, formerly Abitibi-Consolidated, 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; only cash is accepted. The toll rates are $7 for cars and pickup trucks, $2 for motorcycles, $8 for campers, $16 for semi trucks and buses, $350 for trucks with oversized loads, and $4 for trailers. 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.[1]
Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre
Library
Address: 601 Reid Ave, P9A 0A2 Fort Frances
Memorial Sports Centre
Arenas and stadiums, Memorial
Address: 740 Scott St, P9A 1H8 Fort Frances
International Falls–Fort Frances Border Crossing
The International Falls–Fort Frances Border Crossing connects the cities of International Falls, Minnesota and Fort Frances, Ontario, at the Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge.
The US port of entry was established in 1895, when the city of International Falls and its post office were established. However, significant cross-border traffic didn't occur until after the dam across the Rainy River was completed in 1905. In 1912, the Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge was completed. It was built by the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company, and featured a railroad track and two vehicular lanes. Cars and trucks must cross the tracks at grade on both ends of the bridge.[2]