Bridge

Petainen named General Manager of International Bridge Administration

Fast facts:


  • Peter M. Petainen has been named the new manager of the International Bridge Authority (IBA) in Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Petainen, 44, who has been the IBA’s chief financial officer for the past 14 years, began his new position on Feb. 28.
  • He becomes the first Canadian to hold the post.

Petainen, Peter (MDOT)March 1, 2016 — Peter M. Petainen has been appointed as the new general manager at the International Bridge Administration (IBA) in Sault Ste. Marie by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). He is succeeding Phil Becker, who retired in January after serving as IBA manager since 2001.

Petainen, 44, who has been guiding the International Bridge’s day-to-day finance and long-term business goals as the IBA’s chief financial officer for the past 14 years, began his new position on Feb. 28.

“In his new role, Peter is responsible for the overall maintenance and operations of the bridge,” MDOT Chief Administrative Officer Laura Mester said. “He’ll also continue to foster the bridge’s already good community relations and customer service, as well as maintain the strong partnerships with the border crossing agencies on the U.S. and Canadian sides.” (more…)

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Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority gets inspection report, elects new officers

  • Post category:Bridge

Fast facts:
– The Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) board of directors met for the first time today in the board room of the new International Bridge administration building.
– The annual and fracture critical bridge inspections found ongoing maintenance is keeping the bridge in good condition.                                                                                                                   
– Michigan board member Nicholas White was elected as the 2016 SSMBA chair.

October 22, 2015 — Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) board members held their first meeting today in the board room of the new International Bridge administration building on the toll plaza.

The bi-national body, which supervises operations of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, reviewed the results of the annual bridge inspection and the fracture critical inspection. A team of bridge engineering experts from the firms of Hardesty and Hanover (H&H) of Okemos, Mich., and MMM Group of Mississauga, Ontario, conducted the two-week-long annual inspection of the bridge in August and presented their preliminary findings at today’s meeting.

“Ongoing maintenance is keeping the bridge in good condition,” said H&H structural engineer Ed Oliver. “The overall condition of the bridge is good and we have no serious issues.” (more…)

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Today declared Phillip M. Becker Day in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

October 21, 2015 — The mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., honored longtime manager of the International Bridge by proclaiming today Phillip M. Becker Day in the city.

Becker, who recently announced his plans to retire in 2016, is completing 29 years of public service with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), including 15 years serving as general manager of the International Bridge Administration (IBA).

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Anthony Bosbous praised Becker for his strong community involvement, keen interpersonal skills and engaging personality, and cited him as a key proponent for the signing of the 2012 Sister Cities agreement by Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario.

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Mayor Anthony Bosbous, center right, presents International Bridge Administration General Manager Phil Becker with a proclamation recognizing Becker’s contributions and naming Oct. 21 Phil Becker Day in the city. Looking on are members of the binational Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority. (MDOT photo)
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Mayor Anthony Bosbous, center right, presents International Bridge Administration
General Manager Phil Becker with a proclamation recognizing Becker’s contributions and naming Oct. 21
Phil Becker Day in the city. Looking on are members of the binational Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority. (MDOT photo)

“Phillip’s enthusiasm and active community involvement continues to build and support the Sault Ste. Marie Sister Cities bi-national partnership by encouraging and supporting community events, such as the Annual International Bridge Walk and the Sault International Festival of Races,” Bosbous said.

Bosbous touted Becker’s unwavering advocacy of the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Bus — jointly supported by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, MDOT, and the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority — which provides convenient, affordable cross-border public transportation.

(more…)

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International Bridge officials celebrate toll plaza project completion with ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony

October 21, 2015 — Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) board members were joined by bridge staff, contractor representatives and local dignitaries today to celebrate the completion of the 16-month-long, $8.9 million (USD) toll plaza project with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony.

Nearly 100 invitees gathered at the new plaza for the festivities, which opened with the raising of the U.S. and Canadian flags to the accompaniment of local bagpiper Robert Craig. A rousing rendition of both countries’ national anthems by the binational Sweet Adelines choir from the sister cities of Sault Ste. Marie followed. The event continued with a Native American drum song, comments from dignitaries, unveiling of a plaza dedication plaque, and project tours.

Drummers from the Bay Mills Tribe of Chippewa Indians help open the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the new $8.9 million (USD) toll plaza project at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. (MDOT photo)
Drummers from the Bay Mills Tribe of Chippewa Indians help open the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony
for the new $8.9 million (USD) toll plaza project at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. (MDOT photo)

SSMBA Chairwoman Helen Gillespie welcomed attendees, noting the project was another outstanding example of the binational partnership in place at the crossing.

“This project is a culmination of seven years of effort in which engineers, architects, contractors, and suppliers from Michigan and Ontario worked together to provide a facility that will improve bridge customer safety and service,” Gillespie said.

Rick Talvitie, the local Federal Bridge Corporation Ltd. (FBCL) board member, provided a Canadian perspective, congratulating the project team for an architecturally stunning, functional, safe, and efficient new administration building and plaza. (more…)

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