Temporary bridge installed to restore First Nation’s outside travel

A temporary bridge has been installed at Ginoogaming First Nation to give the northwestern Ontario community direct access to essential services.

A news release issued late last week from the community said a modular structure was opened in Nov. 28 after chief and council declared an emergency earlier in the month over the deteriorating state of a 70-year-old, privately-owned bridge that was deemed unsafe for pedestrian and vehicle use.

The community leadership stopped traffic on a street leading up to the bridge spanning the Making Ground River. An engineering report to council had recommended that the bridge be closed to traffic as it was in danger of failing.

The First Nation secured the modular bridge from a Thunder Bay supply company for $1.4 million. The structure that had been there was demolished with the Bailey bridge-like structure placed on top of the pilings using the existing bridge abutments. 

Ginoogaming said the condition of the bridge has been a major sticking point for the community for more than 20 years. The community pointed blame at the private owner of the bridge for allowing it to “fall into disrepair,” as well as the federal and provincial governments for not acting sooner.

Ginoogaming said it acted in a manner to self-determination to protect to the health and safety of its members.

Chief Shari Taylor raised the bridge issue last summer in nearby Greenstone during an appearance by Premier Doug Ford on an economic development announcement in June.

The community leadership said in the release that the bridge outage put a strain on members who had to  resort to a “poorly maintained bush road” to travel outside the community for 22-day period. 

In the release, Taylor stated said that council’s declaration of emergency remains in effect until a permanent span is in place.

Taylor thanked the community for its support as they move forward toward securing a permanent bridge. “We couldn’t have done our work without the support of our members.”

“We are grateful that the contractor held true to their construction schedule. Vehicles (including school buses) and pedestrian traffic can now safely pass as we work towards progress on a new bridge to be owned by GFN that will include funding for ongoing maintenance,” she said.