GERALDTON -- The closure of the TransCanada Highway at the Nipigon River Bridge has prompted Greenstone to declare a State of Emergency.
Deputy Mayor Eric Pietsch declared the State of Emergency at 6:10 p.m. Sunday, three hours after an expansion joint broke on the newly-constructed Nipigon River Bridge, severing Eastern and Western Canada indefinitely.
"We did it out of an abundance of caution in case we have an influx of stranded travelers so we're able to mobilize and accommodate as required in our community centres," Pietsch said.
"If there's an exorbitantly high cost of that, it allows us access to provincial funding but mostly because we have direct communication with (the Ontario Provincial Emergency Operations Centre)."
Pietsch said community centres have not yet begun laying out beds but resources are available, should they be needed.
Ontario Provincial Police officers will be driving from Geraldton to the Highway 11-17 juncture on the east side of the Nipigon River Bridge through the night to ensure safety of travelers.
