The new Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge officially opened, replacing the previous structure that has connected the two border communities in Maine and New Brunswick for 100 years.

“This bridge is more than just a piece of infrastructure,” New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs said in a news release. “It is an important link that brings communities, and countries, together. It will help us to maintain our Canada-U.S. connections with an important transportation and trade link between New Brunswick and Maine, benefiting communities on both sides of the border.”

The previous bridge was approaching the end of its service life, with the deck and superstructure showing signs of advanced deterioration. A feasibility study determined that building a new bridge would be more cost effective than maintaining the existing structure.

Maine’s Department of Transportation managed the project with the support of New Brunswick’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, in co-ordination with federal agencies in Canada and the United States. The international bridge is jointly owned by the provincial and state governments, which have a cost-sharing agreement on international bridge replacement projects.

“The new international bridge is built on a new alignment, crossing the Saint John River approximately 1,400 feet (426 meters) upstream from the old bridge on the U.S. side and tying into the existing New Brunswick port facility on the Canadian side,” said Robin Carnahan, administrator of the United States General Services Administration. “The new bridge features wider travel lanes and added shoulders on both sides. There is a raised sidewalk on the downstream side of the new bridge. The new bridge is designed to last 100 years.”

Demolition of the old bridge is expected to be complete by June 30, 2025.