THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs says that the speed that CN has fixed a burnt railway bridge in Alberta is a clear message on the company’s priorities.
“The line through Mayerthorpe is much more profitable for CN as opposed to a line going into a reserve,” stated the Mayor.
Mayor Hobbs is referring to the long battle with CN that has dragged out for years, engaged the city in the courts along with Fort William First Nation, and still has not seen the James Street Bridge in Thunder Bay fixed for vehicle traffic.
Commenting on the speed that CN moved in Mayerthorpe Alberta to repair a burnt bridge Mayor Hobbs said, “That bridge doesn’t go to a reserve that’s why it was put back together so quickly.”
The bridge in Alberta was burnt on April 27th.
Mayerthorpe RCMP have confirmed that they are investigating a suspicious fire at the CN rail trestle bridge located on the northwest edge of the town limits of Mayerthorpe. Provincial fire Investigators along with CN Rail authorities are at the scene investigating what may have caused the fire in support of this RCMP led investigation. The RCMP are waiting on those results to continue their investigation.
The RCMP were called to the fire yesterday on April 27th at 1:20 pm. Mayerthorpe RCMP Sgt. McAuley stated at the time. “This is the fifth fire they have been called to in the past thirty days”. This is very concerning given the dry conditions we are seeing this spring”.
On April 30th, RCMP in Alberta reported, that Mayerthorpe RCMP have arrested and charged one person in relation to the recent rash of fires in the area, of which includes the CN trestle bridge fire.
RCMP arrested and charged 19 year old, Lawson Michael SCHALM of Mayerthorpe Alberta with eighteen (18) counts of Arson.
CN has moved quickly to repair and get traffic flowing over the bridge and it is now re-opened to train traffic.
In Thunder Bay, the James Street Bridge caught fire on October 29th, 2013 – CN has not moved to restore vehicle traffic on the bridge which is a critical infrastructure link between Thunder Bay and Fort William First Nation.
