It was jointly built by the governments of Sweden and Finland, and by the railway company.

[3] A small aerial lift was built in 1916 over the river to transport mail, because during parts of the year the ice was too strong for boats and too weak or too split up for walking, and this was the main gateway between Russia and Western Europe during World war One.

Current cross-border traffic consists of containerized goods and freight from Outokumpu.

Cross-border freight transport is expected to increase on the Swedish side with construction of the new railway line between Kalix and Haparanda.

[2] The bridge is going to be given a slightly higher internal height during 2024, and then be electrified together with the railway from Laurila in Finland.