LITTLE CURRENT—“If you’re looking for a headline I’d say ‘it’s ready to go’,” Minister of Northern Development Greg Rickford told The Expositor during a Friday, September 8 announcement on Little Current’s waterfront regarding the swing bridge replacement project.
Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin introduced Minister Rickford to the small crowd assembled on the docks, the swing bridge standing sentinel in the background.
Mayor MacNevin noted the location was not a coincidence due to the obvious view of the aged bridge, but also because as the minister visited Little Current, two Great Lakes cruise ships were anchored at nearby Strawberry Island, one of which saw passengers tendered into the downtown docks that morning.
“Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) has been very supportive of NEMI,” the mayor said. The very docks we stand on are as a result of NOHFC, which helped to attract cruise ships to Little Current.”
Minister Rickford was on a Northern Ontario tour, there representing the province and not necessarily his own ministry for this particular announcement, he noted.
He spoke to Premier Doug Ford’s commitment to ensuring infrastructure projects are being met in Northern Ontario that enable the North’s abundance of agriculture, resources and tourism not only survive, but thrive, leading him to his main announcement.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to say the preliminary work is done, the environmental assessment is finished and we can now proceed with next steps,” Minister Rickford announced. Those next steps include property acquisition, right-of-way designation and detail design.
“Replacement of the Little Current Swing Bridge will make travel smoother for residents, businesses, emergency services and tourists, while supporting economic growth and job creation in local communities,” the minister added.
Minister Rickford assured the politicians and dignitaries present that the Ontario Treasury has secured funds for the new double-lane swing bridge, though the exact amount was not disclosed. The minister called it “a substantial financial commitment.”
As has been reported previously the new swing bridge will be a near-replica of the existing bridge, but will feature two lanes and four fixed-girder spans. It will be located just west of the existing bridge.
Minister Rickford said the tendering process should begin soon with the Ministry of Transportation also creating a new “traffic system” for the area. The minister also alluded to roadwork along Highway 6 in the lead up to the bridge.
The Expositor asked Minister Rickford if a date has been set for the replacement but he said it had not. However, he said, tendering should begin in the coming months.
“We’re ready to go,” he said. “I wouldn’t have come out here today if we weren’t.”
“When they commit to a detailed design, it should be coming soon,” Mayor MacNevin told The Expositor following the announcement.
“Our government is continuing to invest in the safe and reliable transportation network that Northern Ontario needs to thrive,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation in a press release. “Replacing Little Current’s swing bridge is a critical project that will make it easier for residents and families in the North to get where they need to go, while supporting good-paying jobs in the local community.”
photo by Alicia McCutcheon
