City fire trucks have been found too heavy to cross the reconstructed James Street Bridge once it reopens.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio tells us they’ll have to continue to use Highway 61 to get to the Fort William First Nation noting that takes another 4 to 5 minutes.
“If we were able to use the bridge we could get to the intersection of James Street and City Road in about 4 minutes and 15 seconds. The fact that we have to go around Highway 61B the travel time to that same intersection is approximately 9 minutes.”
The Deputy Fire Chief suggests they could look for lighter vehicles in the future when replacing their equipment but notes that wouldn’t happen overnight.
He adds most newer trucks are much bigger and heavier based on the construction standards they need to adhere to.
The heaviest a vehicle can be crossing the bridge is 15,000 kg. Hankkio notes in the past they had vehicles that could cross the bridge but have since been replaced with heavier models.
The Deputy Fire Chief adds the fire can grow significantly in that extra 5 minute time.
He stresses it’s important for everyone to have home fire escape plans and working smoke alarms so they get out before the fire spreads.
