Dear sir:
By the time this reaches print, the Abitibi-Consolidated/Revenue Canada $500,000(?) faulty facility on the Customs project may have started.
The recent project suggestion of the buy-out of the bridge may stall the project while the proposal is under study.
While a change in ownership to a public facility may result in better control over tolls, it does nothing to solve the real problem of the bridge–its location.
The original bridge integrating the two mills is now almost 100 years old. It has grown like topsy, with add-ons to the original structure.
It also poses some liabilities. For example, a truck recently broke through the first section approaching from the Canadian side. The signage was not clear and it entered the wrong lane.
I’ve followed more than one vehicle entering the U.S. and they stop to puzzle where to go.
Coming into Canada along the Highway 11 designated route, lineups extend far as the Roadhouse. Others say as far as Ranier.
The route into Canada at Highway 11 and Ranier intersection presents a major obstacle course to reach Canada. There are some 40 intersections to the new toll gate on the U.S. side. There are six sets of railway tracks up to the U.S. bridge entry, and three more to cross on the Canadian side.
Ten of the road intersections on the U.S. side are company-owned with signs “Do not block intersections.” That, of course, should apply to all of them.
A friend of mine visiting Arizona struck up a conversation with an Arizonian. The latter asked, “Where do you come from?” Answer: “A small border town you never even heard of called Fort Frances.”
The Arizonian answered, “I sure do. You see, I’m a trucker and I crossed there once. It was the worst one I ever encountered, twisty and turny. Truck lanes crossed auto lanes as well as railroad tracks.”
He added, “I crossed it once, I’ll never do it again!”
That same friend of mine was following a tourist towing a camper trailer. The tourist wouldn’t pay the toll and wanted to back out. Fortunately, there was no one behind my friend and the tourist backed out.
A long lineup would cause a few problems.
Later, I asked the toll lady what would happen with a long lineup. Answer: “You drive ahead and turn around at Customs.” I didn’t note just where and how.
Friends of mine drove up from Minneapolis and complained they saw there was no toll sign. Actually there is, it’s just not well-located and easily missed.
Clearly signage needs improvement!
A new bridge committee has been formed. I understand there was a prior one in, I believe, the ’70s while I was out of Ontario, and that went nowhere.
Since the International Falls mayor is not very enthusiastic indicates a poor start. Our present Ontario government is on a privatization kick from Hydro, to highway maintenance, to education (notwithstanding Premier Harris was against private schools but now is seeking to do so quietly).
As a one-time golf pro, he forgot to duck when someone yelled “Fore” and doesn’t remember what position he took previously.
I doubt if Bob Nault, our MP and now minister of Indian Affairs, will be gung-ho also. In response to one of my letters to him, he inferred since the company and the government agree, it must be O.K.
Draw you own conclusions.
Yours truly,
B. Seppala
Fort Frances, Ont.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
