THUNDER BAY -- The city is taking steps to try and expedite legal proceedings surrounding the James Street Swing Bridge dispute.
The bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic since it was damaged by fire in October of 2013. CN Rail has filed suit, seeking to be relieved of an obligation laid out in a 1905-06 agreement that it must maintain the bridge in perpetuity. The city has filed a counter suit, asking the court to compel the railroad to proceed with needed repairs to the vehicular lanes.
The litigants met with a judge at the local courthouse last week. The city has revealed that it's asked the court to review the 1905-06 agreement by way of application. They say it would lead to a quicker resolution of the dispute than a trial.
The court is scheduled to hear arguments on Oct. 23 on what the appropriate procedure should be.
No court dates have yet been set to hear evidence on the validity of the contractual agreement.
