LITTLE CURRENT—The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has advised the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) of work being carried out on the Swing Bridge this week.
In a notice to the town the MTO explained, “Notification of welding work taking place on the swing bridge, deck, steel plates this week beginning tomorrow evening (July 23) and anticipated to conclude at 6 am this Saturday morning (July 27). Welding work will only take place during the evening/night hours. The work is anticipated to begin each evening at about 6 pm, continue through the night, and conclude at 6 am each day.”
“As the bridge does not routinely swing during the evening hours, it will remain closed in a normal state with traffic flowing normally,” the MTO noted. “Once work commences, blocker vehicles will be put in place and the barricade arm lowered. When traffic is allowed to cross, the barricade arm will be lifted and traffic will be allowed to flow normally, as required, or until clear long enough to again facilitate work. If an emergency vehicle arrives and requires emergent crossing, clear the bridge for traffic, crews will still require the same removal time, approximately 20 minutes to clear equipment, equipment vehicles, blocker vehicles, barricade arm and persons. OPP and EMS have been notified as well of his process.”
