EDITORIAL: Open Swing Bridge soon

It’s been a year and counting since the James Street Swing Bridge was ravaged by fire.

Several days later trains were rolling across the tracks.

Twelve months later and vehicular traffic still must take the long way around.

Leaders on both sides of the bridge are getting frustrated.

But Mayor Keith Hobbs and Fort?William First Nation Chief Georjann Morriseau are right to stand their ground.

CN signed a deal with Fort William more than a century ago. Now it appears the railway wants to create a short-term solution, while wriggling out of any future obligations.

Hobbs says he’s adamant taxpayers won’t have to shell out $3 million for repairs.

And he’s right.

The railway owns the bridge and it appears they are obligated to keep it open to vehicles under terms signed in 1906.

For more than 100 years the company and its predecessors have reaped the financial rewards of the bridge.

They owe it to the people in both communities to make good on the original promise and ensure the repairs are made.

Keeping the bridge closed to traffic is not an acceptable solution, when every second counts in an emergency.