The Ministry of Transportation is continuing a project to improve the security on its Highway 11/17 bypass pedestrian bridge near Chippewa Secondary School.
With a low-barrier shelter for the homeless located across the street from the high school, the area has become a common place for homeless people to set up overnight.
Back in February of 2023, the North Bay Fire Department responded to a fire that broke out inside the tunnel that was started by individuals camping inside the tunnel. No one was injured but the fire caused significant damage to the pedestrian bridge's wooden floor.
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Since then, the MTO has been working on measures to discourage homeless individuals from camping overnight inside the glass-enclosed walkway.
Back in September of 2023, the MTO started to beef up security measures on the bridge by installing a loud horn inside the tunnel and announced the plan to add garage doors at each entrance.
Just recently the MTO announced the bridge would start to be closed to the public overnight.
"These enhancements were implemented through a phased approach and included new signage, motion detectors, an audible deterrent, and rolling garage doors at either end to secure the structure," the MTO stated in an email to BayToday.
"The doors on either end of the North Bay pedestrian overpass will be closed from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. to ensure a safe environment for pedestrians."
The re-opening at 7 a.m. is expected to be re-opened early enough so it does not impact the use of the pedestrian bridge by parents and students to get to nearby Chippewa Secondary School and other nearby schools like Alliance and Saints-Anges.
