Lively bridges are safe, MTO insists

The Ministry of Transportation says two bridges in Lively are safe following reports a young girl was hurt this week by a piece of debris falling from a bridge. 

The matter came to light Thursday when Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas raised the issue in the Ontario Legislature.

“My office was contacted by Mrs. Sherri Allan regarding a frightening incident that her family experienced on Monday while driving in Lively,” Gélinas said.

“As they were travelling south on Main Street, going under the first of two highway bridges, debris fell from the bridge, smashing a hole in the sunroof of their vehicle, with falling glass cutting their nine-year-old daughter on the neck. Thankfully, her daughter was OK. It could have been much worse.

“They are not the only ones,” she continued. “I have been contacted by Lynn Gosselin and here is her statement: 'I too have been victim of a rock hitting my windshield from the overpass. Last Friday, my husband and I were hit by a rock on my sunroof.... I had the sunroof replaced yesterday and it cost me $1,300!'”

When contacted Friday, Gordan Rennie, regional issues and media adviser with the MTO's northeastern region, said safety is the ministry's top priority.

“All ministry bridges are inspected under the supervision of a professional engineer every two years,” Rennie said in an email. “The ministry received a complaint earlier this month about debris falling off one of the Sudbury Road 24 bridges onto Highway 17. Maintenance staff reviewed the area and had the bridge shoulder swept of loose stones. 

“Two additional complaints were received this week. Staff have inspected the bridge and have determined it remains safe for travel. Arrangements are now being made for any loose concrete to be removed on Monday.”

Both bridges are scheduled for rehabilitation next year, Rennie added.

For her part, Gélinas wants anyone else who has had similar experiences to contact her.

“I would invite anybody else from my riding or around Lively, who has had a similar incident with pieces of the overpass falling on them as they were driving, or if they’ve seen an incident, to please reach out to my office so that we can coordinate efforts with the Ministry of Transportation.”