GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER ENGINEERING INSPECTION RECOMMENDS IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF MAKING GROUND RIVER BRIDGE
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday November 6, 2024 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER ENGINEERING INSPECTION RECOMMENDS IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF MAKING GROUND RIVER BRIDGE
GINOOGAMING, ON: Ginoogaming First Nation (GFN) Chief and Council issued a Band Council Resolution on Friday, November 1, 2024 declaring a state of emergency with respect to their decision to close Blueberry Street to all vehicular traffic leading to the Making Ground River Bridge. The declaration comes after an engineering inspection by WSP Engineering recommended that the bridge be closed to vehicle traffic.
“As a result of 70+ years of jurisdictional wrangling and inaction to have this deteriorated bridge repaired and maintained on the parts Canada, Ontario and various industry owners—effective November 6, 2024 at 4:00 pm, Ginoogaming First Nation Chief and Council have made the decision to close Blueberry Street to all vehicular traffic leading to the Making Ground River Bridge,” said Chief Sheri Taylor of GFN. “WSP Engineering has recently deemed the bridge unsafe for the people and children who have to cross this bridge on a daily basis—we had no other choice.”
Within the Declaration of Emergency, GFN calls on the current industry owner Eagle Logging Inc to close the Making Ground River Bridge to ensure public safety per WSP’s recommendation. Eagle Logging has indicated that they will close the Bridge by November 12, 2024. Additionally, GFN calls on all levels of government – our Treaty Partners – to alleviate the effects of this emergency by:
- Providing funds and resources for a temporary crossing
- Developing detailed plans with immediate agreed-upon timelines for interim measures while Blueberry Street is closed to vehicular traffic
- Continuing the feasibility study for a new bridge that is owned by Ginoogaming First Nation and includes funding for ongoing maintenance
GFN had a meeting with some of the Treaty partners on Monday November 4, 2024 and made it clear that this is not a jurisdictional issue but a matter that affects the safety of the public.
“This emergency has highlighted the pressing need for investment into basic infrastructure that our Nation relies on every day. We call on our Treaty partners to join our efforts to keep our Nation safe and to ensure our people have the same opportunities as everyone else in Ontario,” said Chief Taylor.
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For more information, please contact: Carol Audet, Communications Manager, Matawa First Nations at (807) 632-9663 or by email at caudet@matawa.on.ca.