Seaway International Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Three Nations Crossing is a border crossing
connecting the city of Cornwall
, Ontario
in Canada
to Rooseveltown
, New York
, a neighbourhood within the town of Massena
, in the United States
. The crossing is traversed by the Seaway International Bridge, which crosses the St. Lawrence River and is 4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi) in total length.
The bridge is jointly owned by the Federal Bridge Corporation
and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
. It is operated by the Seaway International Bridge Corporation, which came under the control of the Federal Bridge Corporation from the Saint Lawrence Seaway Authority in 1998.
Previously known as the Cornwall-Massena International Bridge, the SIB was a private bridge whose outstanding stock was purchased by the Saint Lawrence Seaway Authority (Canada) and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (U.S.) in 1957. It was incorporated in Canada five years later.
The bridge consists of the South and North Channel Bridges. The South Channel Bridge was opened in 1958, and spans the St. Lawrence Seaway. The North Channel Bridge, opened in 1962, connects the City of Cornwall
to Cornwall Island
.
In 2000, the international border crossing that the Seaway International Bridge comprises was named the Three Nations Crossing, in honour of the Mohawks
of Akwesasne
who inhabit the region.
On May 31, 2009, Akwesasne Mohawks peacefully occupied the area around the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) port of entry building to protest the Canadian government's decision to arm border agents on Mohawk land by June 1, 2009. At 11:45 p.m. on May 31, the border guards were ordered by the CBSA to leave the building, Canadian Customs was closed, and the north span of the bridge was closed. Although American Customs remained opened for southbound traffic, northbound traffic was blocked on the American side by both American and Canadian officials. Over the following six weeks, the Canadian border officially remained closed (though there were a few leaks). At 06:00 on July 13, CBSA opened a "temporary" border post at the north end of the north span of the bridge in the city of Cornwall, effectively opening the bridge for all traffic in both directions.
Border Crossing
Border Crossing may refer to:* Border Crossing , an album by saxophonist Mike Osborne.* Border Crossing , a UK hip hop collective musical group.* Border Crossing , a 2001 novel by English author Pat Barker....
connecting the city of Cornwall
Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada and the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario. Cornwall is Ontario's easternmost city, located on the St...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to Rooseveltown
Rooseveltown, New York
Rooseveltown, New York is a hamlet in the town of Massena, New York, United States located in St. Lawrence County, New York. It is near the eastern town line by the Raquette River....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, a neighbourhood within the town of Massena
Massena (village), New York
Massena is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 13,589 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Andre Massena, one of Napoleon's generals....
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The crossing is traversed by the Seaway International Bridge, which crosses the St. Lawrence River and is 4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi) in total length.
The bridge is jointly owned by the Federal Bridge Corporation
Federal Bridge Corporation Limited
Federal Bridge Corporation Limited is a Canadian federal Crown corporation which is responsible for operating and managing the following bridges which until 1998 were managed by the St...
and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation. The SLSDC is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic through the U.S.-owned and operated facilities of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, which consists of 2 of the...
. It is operated by the Seaway International Bridge Corporation, which came under the control of the Federal Bridge Corporation from the Saint Lawrence Seaway Authority in 1998.
Previously known as the Cornwall-Massena International Bridge, the SIB was a private bridge whose outstanding stock was purchased by the Saint Lawrence Seaway Authority (Canada) and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (U.S.) in 1957. It was incorporated in Canada five years later.
The bridge consists of the South and North Channel Bridges. The South Channel Bridge was opened in 1958, and spans the St. Lawrence Seaway. The North Channel Bridge, opened in 1962, connects the City of Cornwall
Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada and the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario. Cornwall is Ontario's easternmost city, located on the St...
to Cornwall Island
Cornwall Island (Ontario)
Cornwall Island is an island in the Saint Lawrence River, directly south of the city of Cornwall. The island is located completely in Canada, but is also part of the Akwesasne Mohawk reserve that straddles the Canada – United States border border as well as the Quebec – Ontario border.- Illegal...
.
In 2000, the international border crossing that the Seaway International Bridge comprises was named the Three Nations Crossing, in honour of the Mohawks
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
of Akwesasne
Akwesasne
The Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne is a Mohawk Nation territory that straddles the intersection of international and provincial borders on both banks of the Saint Lawrence River. Most of the land is in what is otherwise the United States...
who inhabit the region.
On May 31, 2009, Akwesasne Mohawks peacefully occupied the area around the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) port of entry building to protest the Canadian government's decision to arm border agents on Mohawk land by June 1, 2009. At 11:45 p.m. on May 31, the border guards were ordered by the CBSA to leave the building, Canadian Customs was closed, and the north span of the bridge was closed. Although American Customs remained opened for southbound traffic, northbound traffic was blocked on the American side by both American and Canadian officials. Over the following six weeks, the Canadian border officially remained closed (though there were a few leaks). At 06:00 on July 13, CBSA opened a "temporary" border post at the north end of the north span of the bridge in the city of Cornwall, effectively opening the bridge for all traffic in both directions.