However, the Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, admits that the closure could take longer.
Based on the analyses, we should have an idea of the repair times for the bridge within 48 to 72 hours. […] “We’re talking about knowing the condition of the bridge, a model that allows us to determine the time it will take to repair the bridge,” she says.
Minister of Labor and Minister responsible for the North Coast, Kateri Champagne Jourdain (file photo)
Photo: Radio Canada / Charles-Étienne Drouin
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault indicates that an air bridge will be available from Wednesday to allow the connection between Minganie and the rest of the province.
The Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) is asking motorists who should be driving to or from Minganie to change their itinerary or cancel their trip.
The Touzel Bridge over the Sheldrake River is closed to traffic until further notice.
Photo: Radio Canada
Minister Champagne Jourdain also notes that certain municipalities, including Sept-Îles, Port-Cartier and Havre-Saint-Pierre, could help provide emergency shelter.
We work with the communities that are on the ground to provide emergency shelter to people who are unable to return home. [ce mardi]She says.
Minganie residents manage to cross the river on board ships.
Photo: Radio Canada / Renaud Chicoine-Mckenzie
MTQ said it made the decision to close the bridge after finding a crack in its structure during an annual inspection Tuesday morning. Engineers are expected on site Tuesday afternoon.
Ministry spokeswoman Sarah Gaudreault assures that erosion of the banks of the Sheldrake River, which could force the bridge to be relocated, is not in question.
Concerned City Officials
Havre-Saint-Pierre Mayor Paul Barriault says he is concerned about the situation.
If the bridge is closed in both directions, that means we’re going to have supply problems pretty quickly. We will also have problems with the movement of ambulances, he expects.
“When part of Route 138 is closed, we have to find a way to move goods and people. »
– A quote from Paul Barriault, Mayor of Havre-Saint-Pierre
The Mayor of Havre-Saint-Pierre, Paul Barriault (file photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Lambert Gagné-Coulombe
Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan Mayor Ginette Paquet shares Paul Barriault’s concerns.
There are probably people planning to leave this Tuesday to have surgery on Wednesday at the hospital in Sept-Îles or further afield. It blocks in Titi, she argues.
She says she traveled by helicopter before because the road was blocked in Minganie.
“We agree that a helicopter is a plan B that is difficult to access in everyday life. It’s just a short-term workaround. »
– A quote from Ginette Paquet, mayor of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan
The Mayor of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Ginette Paquet (file photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Lambert Gagné-Coulombe
She is demanding that the Quebec government propose an alternative solution to quickly restore the road.
The river is not that wide. “I assume that there will be the possibility of crossing by boat,” says the mayor.
The Touzel Bridge, the only road link connecting the Minganie region with the rest of the province, has been closed since Tuesday morning.
Photo: Radio Canada / Renaud Chicoine-Mckenzie
Health care is maintained
The Côte-Nord Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) ensures that medical services continue to be provided in Minganie.
Denis Tremblay, Minganie Territory Emergency Response Coordinator, indicates that medicines, users and staff can be transported by air.
Steps have been taken with various suppliers for our supplies since Tuesday morning. We will get there by air and sea, he says.
According to Quebec, it works with its partners and rescue services.
In collaboration with Camille Lacroix-Villeneuve, Renaud Chicoine-McKenzie and Nicholas Bergeron