THUNDER BAY — Motorists in the habit of using the Main Street Bridge will have to take an alternate route from now until well into the spring.
The City of Thunder Bay closed the bridge Monday to permit work crews to start the second stage of a rehabilitation project.
Phase one, which took place last year, included repairs to deteriorated concrete, adding protective coating to steel components and waterproofing and paving of the bridge deck.
Stage two work will include additional concrete repairs and coating of structural steel.
The city will also take advantage of the opportunity to test some steel portions of the structure to ensure their integrity.
Officials say the project will leave the bridge, located between Isabel Street and Hammond Avenue, with a longer lifespan.
While it is closed, the city advises to use the Central Avenue overpass between Fort William Road and Maureen Street as an alternate route.
