PC Transportation Critic demands release of Nipigon bridge test results
QUEEN’S PARK -Ontario PC Transportation Critic Michael Harris issued a letter to the Premier today demanding that test results on the bolts and MTO analysis integral to the January 10th Nipigon Bridge failure be publicized immediately.
“I’ve been contacted by many who are concerned with the Transportation Ministry and Minister of Northern Development and Mines’ recent comments that test findings will be held back from publication pending further investigation,” Harris wrote. “Given the circumstances and implications related to the failure of this taxpayer funded vital bridge connection, [I ask that] you direct officials to release those findings as soon as possible. Further, given that the Ministry has had 7 months to do its own analysis and report – that information should be made public immediately. ”
Harris’ letter to the Premier comes in the wake of comments by the Northern Development Minister that, despite the completion of 6 months of testing on the bolts that were suspected in the failure of the bridge only 42 days after opening, he wouldn’t be releasing the results, “because we need to know the full reason why this happened.”
“Look, for seven months now we’ve waited while unanswered questions have grown as to how a $106 million dollar project that directly impacted this vital trade conduit to the west could have failed only weeks after opening,” said Harris. “We’ve waited long enough. Taxpayers are owed an explanation, and government now has some answers, it’s time to let us in on the secret!”
Harris’ letter noted that as one of the few connecting links between Eastern and Western Canada, the Nipigon Bridge represents an essential trade channel that is relied upon for the transportation of $100 million worth of goods.
“Given the significance of the bridge, the fact that taxpayers are owed an explanation for rapid failure of a $106-million bridge rebuild, and the list of serious questions that have only grown in the months following the incident, I feel it’s incumbent on your government to suspend further efforts to stall in releasing the test information and report the findings as soon as possible,” Harris concluded. “If the bolts were, or were not, the cause, the public deserves to know. And if they were not, then government needs to come clean on its role in this regrettable, costly failure.