(Image source from: Ontario's Nipigon River bridge spilt)

A newly constructed Nipigon River bridge in Ontario has split apart due to which  Trans-Canada highway has been closed for an indefinite period. The highway is the single way connecting Eastern and Western Canada. Ontario Provincial Police said that, they have closed the Nipigon River Bridge for "an indefinite time due to mechanical issues,” while the bridge is still open for  pedestrian.

Steven Del Duca, Ontario’s transportation minister said in a statement that, "I will do everything that can be done to restore the bridge quickly, while also making sure that the safety of the travelling public remains of paramount importance." The police has closed Highways 11 and 17 at the bridge. Both highways are situated around 100 kilometers in northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The  expected period of the closing is"uncertain", police noted that, it could be "uncertain."

Richard Harvey, Nipigon Mayor, told CBC News,  that, "It's not just us. It's all of Canada that has a problem right now. This is the one place in Canada where there is only one road, one bridge across the country."

Harvey said that, Engineers are inspecting the site and finding the cause regarding the failure of the bridge, but "the reality is nobody really knows what happened," he added.

He said that, the transport truck in the area are supporting the closure and community centers are being opened by the township. These centers will provide a place to stay to the trapped people.

Nandini