Local business stung by load restrictions

THUNDER BAY, Ont. (Sept. 30, 2003) — New weight restrictions on the Sioux Narrows bridge on Highway 71 near Thunder Bay, Ont. has many local businesses who depend on heavy truck traffic worried. Effective immediately, vehicles crossing the bridge will be limited to 15 tonnes (15,000 kgs).

The restrictions resulted in a temporary ban on many large trucks crossing the 200-metre bridge, increasing transportation costs for long-haul operators and carriers, and hurting regional retail business, officials told the Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal.

Local MPP Howard Hampton has called on the provincial government to provide compensation to the community, noting much of the area’s economy comes from logging and transport truck drivers who travel through the town.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has been monitoring the condition of the bridge for several months and made note of increased structural deterioration. Last week the MTO implemented load restrictions after it was revealed that the rate of the bridge’s deterioration has accelerated. Heavy trucks will be detoured over Highway 502 between Highway 17 and Highway 11, until a temporary replacement bridge is built by January 2004.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Councillor Bill Thompson told the newspaper that the restrictions will mean lengthy detours and will hurt everything from logging contractors and gravel truck operators to restaurants in the area.

— With files from the Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal