MTO restores Hwy. 11 traffic at Latchford, Ont.

LATCHFORD, Ont. (Jan. 28, 2003) — The Ontario Ministry of Transportation yesterday restored traffic on a crucial portion of Hwy. 11 that spans the Montreal River near Latchford, Ont., about 135 kilometres north of North Bay near the Quebec border.

A section of the Sgt. Aubrey Cosens Memorial Bridge collapsed on Jan. 14, forcing northbound and southbound traffic to detour into Quebec.

Workers erected a temporary single-lane structure known as a Bailey bridge. The new crossing is comprised of a 50-metre modular bridge and a 60-metre causeway. Traffic signals have been installed on both sides of the bridge.

The MTO said it plans to construct a longer, two-lane temporary modular bridge over the Montreal River to accommodate the increased flow of water flow during the spring thaw.

“There has been one-lane traffic on the bridge on two occasions during the 1990s due to painting and redecking,” said Latchford Mayor George Lefebvre. “Both times were during peak travel season between May and October and there was no lengthy waiting time at all. I can say with confidence that Hwy. 11 will be back to normal.”