Missed opportunity

Dear sir:
An open letter to the Hon. Robert Nault, minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and MP for Kenora-Rainy River, re: the Fort Frances-International Falls bridge.
Mr. Nault, “you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s (pig’s) ear!”
Despite a new Customs facility on the U.S. side, the single lane line-ups of people returning to the U.S. have extended to Canadian Tire (no public restrooms en route, either).
A new Customs facility on the Canadian side will not eliminate single lane line-ups that extend to the Roadhouse on the U.S. side (high gasoline prices may temporarily lessen travel).
The real problem is the bridge and its single lane approaches. The bridge constructed in 1911 was to serve the integrated pulp and paper mills on both sides of the river. It still serves that purpose by pipeline, rail, and heavy truck traffic.
In 1912, it was opened to public travel. An additional traffic lane was added later as a company response to public pressure for a new bridge. It was a band aid solution whereby the corporate bosses of the day retained the “gold mine” as a privately-held facility.
A new bridge opportunity was missed then; let’s not make the same mistake again!
U.S. Highway 53 now a divided one to Virginia will be extended north to International Falls. At that time, a new multi-lane bridge with multi-lane approaches should be in place.
Therefore there should be an immediate moratorium on a new Customs facility. The toll system should remain as is, with elimination or a reduction in them since capital costs would be deferred and the $147,000 tax reduction the company has gained on the bridge.
Several alternate bridge sites were considered, some of which would be more disruptive now than before. Further downstream sites may be better, providing better tie-ins to U.S. Highways 53 and 71.
Also, a new bridge may accelerate a Fort Frances by-pass and eliminate some heavy truck traffic through town.
It would benefit all Northwestern Ontario and Minnesota.
Finally this project has been conducted virtually in secret with no general public participation. The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act does not normally extend to the private sector but may.
Under the act, all aspects of the environment are considered in the planning process–natural, social, cultural, economic, and technical. All factors apply in this case.
The bridge is private, untouchable? The Canadian Customs facility is not and both federal and provincial environmental protection acts and regulations should apply! An assessment is warranted.
It is time to stand off, re-think the entire matter, and make the right decision this time!
Yours truly,
Bruno Seppala