THUNDER BAY -- Now that both lanes on the completed half of the Nipigon River Bridge are open, construction teams are turning their attention to building the other half.
The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines issued a release Monday announcing the next phase of demolition will begin on the former bridge to make way fro construction on the mirror half of the new cable-stayed bridge.
At the end of the six week demolition phase, crews will move on to constructing the third tower, work that will take crews through the remainder of 2016.
"Recent issues that led to last month's bridge failure were not related to the tower design," the release reads.
"Area residents, local communities and motorists should know that the Nipigon River Bridge is safe for use."
A statement attributed to Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle praised Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca for his ministry for its hard work in repairing the bridge as well as the patience of local residents.
"With work resuming on the Nipigon River Bridge we are again, one step closer to our goal of four-laning Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon," Gravelle's commented.
"I'd like to thank local residents, communities , motorists and travellers for their patience and understanding while the temporary reparirs were installed in order to reopen the bridge to two lanes of traffic."
Gravelle committed to providing further updates on the cause behind the bridge's Jan. 10 split, which occurred only 42 days after its grand opening, once details become available.
Laboratories in Ottawa and London, Ont. are currently testing the bolts that broke while holding the girder to the bearing on an expansion joint.
