At its Nov. 25 meeting, the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) met and approved of the yearly inspection of the bridge and elected officers for the coming year.
Inspections of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge are conducted by a team of engineering experts.
"The results from the engineers that went out and looked, was that the bridge was in good condition." Peter Petainen with the International Bridge Administration, who conducted the inspection, said.
The IBA team consists of nine full-time employees, and 11 seasonal staff on the maintenance side.
"I definitely have to give a shout out to the maintenance staff in particular," Petainen said. "(Who got) a good report on a 63, going on 64-year-old bridge that's in good or better condition than other bridges out in the field."
On the SSMBA, there are eight board members. Four of these are appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the other four are from the Canadian Federal Bridge Corporation Limited.
Linda Hoath of Sault Ste. Marie was elected chair for 2026. The other U.S. representatives on the board are Nicholas White, Scott Shackleton and Thomas Buckingham Sr.
From the Canadian side, Natalie Kinloch of Apple Hill, Ontario was elected vice-chair for 2026. The other Canadian members are Karen Richards, Thye Lee and Remi Paquette.
The SSMBA set its 2026 meeting dates for Feb. 19, May 21, Aug. 12 and Nov. 18.
