FORT FRANCES — Canadian National Railway (CN) has released a statement that Five-Mile Bridge should resume rail service by mid-September.
The rail bridge, located just outside Fort Frances, collapsed in August, temporarily halting operations.
“Recent emergency federal approval of a temporary repair will allow rail service to Thunder Bay to resume by mid-September, weather permitting,” said a spokesperson with CN.
Also known as the Rainy River Rail Lift Bridge, the span left a pile of pile of twisted metal on the Canadian side of Rainy Lake's Sand Bay, near the Noden Causeway, following the collapse.
Environmental crews arrived on site shortly afterwards to recover hydraulic oil, which was described as biodegradable and non-toxic.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
CN delivers approximately 45,000 rail cars per year to the Port of Thunder Bay, which makes this crossing a valuable supply chain for Canadian resources, particularly grain.
Nevertheless, the rail tracks are the only part that will be put back together this year.
CN said boat traffic under the bridge will have to wait until next spring.
They have plans for a permanent replacement which need approval by Transport Canada.
