The James Street swing bridge may be open again in a couple of weeks.
Finding a short term solution for re-opening the bridge was decided upon at a meeting this morning between CN Rail, the city, and the Fort William First Nation.
CN Rail spokesperson Olivier Chouc says they’re going to work with the city and First Nation to get the bridge operational once again.
Chouc says CN will work with city engineers to come up with a report on the condition of the bridge in a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, Mayor Keith Hobbes is weighing in on the decision.
Hobbs says they made significant progress at this morning’s meeting.
The mayor says the meeting became heated at times, but is attributing that to his own personality.
Hobbs says CN Rail understands the urgency of opening the bridge.
Fort Wiliam First Nation Chief Georjann Morriseau is content with the meeting as well.
She says her community is heavily impacted by the closure, and says there is tremendous urgency to re-open the bridge.
The three parties will meet again in a couple of weeks after engineering reports are completed to see what the short-term solution will be.
(Photo: Matt Pascuzzo)
