FORT FRANCES — Canadian National Railway has released a statement that Five-Mile Bridge should resume rail service by mid-September.
“Recent emergency federal approval of a temporary repair will allow rail service to Thunder Bay to resume by mid-September, weather permitting,” said a spokesperson with CN.
In mid-August, the Five-Mile Bridge collapsed, leaving a pile of twisted metal on the Canadian side of Rainy Lake's Sand Bay, near the Noden Causeway.
CN delivers approximately 45,000 rail cars per year to the Port of Thunder Bay, which makes this crossing a valuable supply chain for Canadian resources, particularly grain.
Nevertheless, the rail tracks are the only part that will be put back together this year.
CN said boat traffic under the bridge will have to wait until next spring.
They have plans for a permanent replacement which need approval by Transport Canada.
