THUNDER BAY — A drive across the James Street swing bridge no longer rattles your teeth or your car's suspension.
Paving of the pothole-strewn bridge that began on July 26 was completed late Wednesday.
With repaving of the northbound now lane wrapped up, drivers exiting Fort William First Nation no longer have to detour via Chippewa Road and Highway 61.
Vehicles had already been allowed in the southbound lane from Thunder Bay to the First Nation as that part of the project was completed last week.
The reopening of both lanes to traffic didn't come come soon enough for commuters, for motorists looking for cheaper gas on the First Nation, and for businesses south of the bridge.
One gas bar operator likened the crossing to a cow trail, saying CN should never have allowed it to deteriorate so badly.
In a statement, the railway apologized last month for the inconvenience experienced by motorists during the repairs.
NOTE: A previous version of this story has been updated to reflect the fact that barricades blocking traffic on the northbound lane have now been removed
