Sault Ste, Marie International Bridge board gets year-end updates

Fast facts:

•     The International Bridge recently underwent a routine detailed inspection of the entire span. Ongoing maintenance is keeping the bridge in good overall condition.
•     The Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) board of directors named Linda Hoath as chair and Natalie Kinloch as vice chair for 2026.
•     International Bridge Administration (IBA) maintenance staff wrapped up a busy and successful year, completing a high percentage of routine maintenance work while performing painting and friction coating projects.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. ­and Ontario - The Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) 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 today, Nov. 25.

At the meeting, te 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. (M&M) 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.

IBA maintenance staff wrapped up a busy and successful year, completing 77 percent of the routine maintenance work items from the 2023 detailed inspection and 2024 fracture critical inspection reports, setting staff up well to achieve their goals for 2026.

In addition to routine maintenance work, IBA maintenance staff crews were able to clean and coat 570 linear feet of green pedestrian rail, spot paint a large portion of the U.S. arch superstructure and finish an epoxy overlay project on the bridge deck Canadian approach spans supported by the MDOT statewide crew and University Region staff. An epoxy friction surface was applied to more than 21,000 square feet of deck surface in early August. The total project cost was $189,669, a savings of $178,459 over the estimate for similar work performed by a contractor.

In other business, the board elected officers for the coming year. The SSMBA board consists of up to eight members: four Michigan members appointed by the governor and four Canadian members appointed by the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL), a crown corporation located in Ottawa, Ontario.

Board member Linda Hoath of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, was elected chair of the SSMBA board of directors for 2026. The other U.S. representatives are Nicholas White, Scott Shackleton and Thomas Buckingham Sr.

Board member Natalie Kinloch of Apple Hill, Ontario, was elected as the 2026 vice chair. The other Canadian members are Karen Richards, Thye Lee and Rémi Paquette.

The board set its 2026 meeting dates for Feb. 19, May 21, Aug. 12 and Nov. 18.

For more information on the International Bridge, please visit www.saultbridge.com. Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at www.x.com/saultbridge.