Nipigon River Bridge construction set to begin

The construction of a new four-lane cable-stayed bridge along the Highway 11-17 corridor east of Thunder Bay promises to create 1,000 jobs, the province announced Tuesday.

Bot Construction was awarded the $106 million contract and work is scheduled to begin in July 2013, with completionexpected in 2017.

Constructionof the bridge over the Nipigon Riverwill be part of the TransCanada Highway and replace the existing two-lane structure. Work will also include widening the approaches to the bridge to four-lanes. The structure will also include a walkway.

"I am tremendously pleased that our government is continuing to support important northern infrastructure with the Nipigon River Bridge project nearing construction," said Michael Gravelle, minister of Northern Development and Mines.

"Once completed, the Nipigon River Bridge will be a magnificent structure and will certainly improve travel for countless local residents, visitors, businesses and families. This cable-stayed bridge will be the first of its kind in Ontario and is sure to become a destination attraction in its own right."

The cable-stayed bridge will consist of three towers with cables supporting the bridge deck.