There won't be any progress on the re-opening of the James Street Swing Bridge to pedestrian and vehicle traffic until early next month.
Fort William First Nation has a tentative meeting scheduled with Canadian National Railway officials on Dec. 5, and Chief Georjann Morriseau said she doesn't foresee any movement on repairing the bridge until that meeting happens.
With looming questions and concerns about the bridge that's been closed to vehicle traffic since an Oct. 29 fire, Morriseau said Fort William First Nation felt the need to reach out and ask CN how long the bridge will be out of commission.
"Both communities have to now plan and put measures in place in terms of accessibility and safety and whatnot," she said in an interview with CKPR Radio.
"In order for us to be able to that effectively, we need to know exactly where the bridge is at and the status of repairs."
Morriseau hopes to go over the details of assessment reports done on the bridge at the upcoming meeting.
It's also been frustrating for the First Nation to have the bridge closed; it's affecting the amount of traffic community businesses see and limiting access for people who don't drive, who now have to find a way to the community via the highway.
The chief has also discussed public safety concerns about delayed response times with Superior North EMS.
"I feel fairly comfortable and confident in their services and abilities to access our community but again still there's that delay and every minute counts," Morriseau said, adding she was relieved to learn that CN will definitely be repairing the bridge.
"Now it's just a waiting game," she said.
