THUNDER BAY – A familiar landmark faces an uncertain future as city council debates the fate of the pedestrian overpass at Marina Park. Coun. Aldo Ruberto wants to get rid of the aging structure, but without a ready alternative, others were hesitant to remove a major entrance to Prince Arthur’s Landing.
City engineering warned council the bridge, opened in 1994, is in need of imminent structural repairs within the year, with an estimated total cost of $1.5 million. Administration said the bridge has experienced significant corrosion and section loss, which has already necessitated some emergency repairs. The need for the work has been known for several years, but funding for the project was deferred in previous budgets.
Coun. Ruberto preferred taking the bridge down for good to avoid the $1.5 million bill to repair it. He says the aging facility makes a bad impression on visitors to the city, and many residents avoid it.
Councillors including Brian Hamilton and Andrew Foulds raised concerns about potential impacts on access to waterfront events and to downtown businesses, should it be taken down. Foulds said he’s spoken to a number of nearby business owners who see the pedestrian overpass as an important connection. Ruberto countered that with three other entrances to the park, access is not a major issue.
The possibility of creating a ground-level entrance at Red River Road was discussed by several councillors. Kayla Dixon, Director of Engineering and Operations for the city, said that would have to be negotiated with CN Rail. She believes the company may well be open to the possibility, but would likely ask the city to close down the nearby Camelot Street entrance if another was opened.
Most councillors seemed supportive of a level crossing at Red River, but administration emphasized that negotiations with CN – as well as construction work – for the project would likely take years. Foulds was hesitant to rely on the company as a negotiating partner.
In the end, council directed administration to report back with more information on options for the bridge. That came after a reassurance from engineering that the facility is at least safe to stay open through the summer. But council will have to make a decision in the coming months on the facility.
