Answering the call to undertake an emergency bridge inspection

Canadian National Rail James St. Bridge Emergency Inspection

When Canadian National (CN) Rail was informed of a fire on the James Street Bridge in Thunder Bay Ontario, they called on our Winnipeg transportation team for emergency assistance. Our crew was on the scene within 24 hours after the last flame was extinguished.

The fire brought vehicle and rail traffic to a halt on the bridge—a key access point for traffic between Fort William First Nation and the City of Thunder Bay. All public access points were closed as our crew arrived to assess the structure. At first glance the fire damage was as anticipated, but a thorough inspection by our team discovered structural concerns beyond the fire damage. Several piles had begun to rot, and other repairs needed to be completed before the bridge could be opened to the public again.

Our bridge team understood that in an emergency, time is a mission-critical priority. And working in sync with our client, our efforts balanced public safety with operational requirements. The outcome? We effectively identified repairs to ensure a safe structure and reopen vital links in the Thunder Bay community.