Duane Hicks
FORT FRANCES—After being remotely-operated for several years, the Canadian National Railway lift bridge at Ranier will be manned 24 hours a day between May 1 and Oct. 15 starting this year.
A U.S. Coast Guard regulation received federal approval this week, which will ensure that CN man the bridge 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during that period.
From Oct. 16-April 30 each year, the bridge would open for vessels if 12 hours’ advance notice is provided.
Additionally, the regulation requires the bridge owner to post and maintain a clearance gauge to indicate to vessels the water levels and available clearance while the bridge is in the closed-to-navigation position.
The bridge spans the Ranier rapids between Rainy Lake and the upper Rainy River.
Currently, there is no regulation for this lift bridge or waterway. It is required to open on signal at all times in accordance with the general opening requirements.
The lift bridge was remotely-operated for several years without explicit approval by the Coast Guard.
CNR requested approval to continue using remote operation equipment and operate the lift bridge with remotely-located drawtenders.
But in the last year, the Coast Guard was informed “the drawbridge is routinely unresponsive to signals and communications from vessels for bridge openings,” it noted in a report.
“In addition, the presence of government and public vessels operating between Rainy River and Rainy Lake has magnified the need for the drawbridge to be responsive and reliable for all vessel traffic,” it continued.
A consultation process was conducted late last year, with public support overwhelmingly in favour of the new regulation.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
