FORT FRANCES, Ontario—It's unknown when the Rainy River waterway will be available to water travel again after a century-old rail lift bridge that straddles the border between International Falls, Minnesota, and Fort Frances, Ontario, collapsed.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, no trains were involved in the fall on Wednesday, and no one was hurt. An inquiry is underway to determine the cause.
According to the Canadian National Railway, some "biodegradable, non-toxic hydraulic oil" leaked, but environmental workers were able to contain it and are now trying to retrieve the fluid.
Built in 1908, crews have started to restore the building. Known by two names, the Rainy River Rail Lift Bridge and the 5 Mile Bridge, it swings up to allow vehicles to cross the river that flows from Lake of the Woods to Rainy Lake and marks the international boundary.
