Ross River footbridge needs federal money: Yukon government

The Yukon government hopes to get a piece of Justin Trudeau's promised infrastructure money, to fix the Ross River suspension bridge.

The World War II-era structure was slated for demolition last year, but community outcry prompted the territorial government to change plans. Repair work began earlier this year.

It can't be used until it's fixed. The towers of the bridge have been stabilized but cables, decking, railings and stairs still need to replaced.

"How much longer do we have to wait before we can have our bridge back?" asked Lois Loewen, who lives right beside the bridge. "It's been a few years now."

Currie Dixon, Yukon's minister of community services, told the legislature Tuesday that the territory intends to apply for infrastructure money promised by the new federal government. It's not clear what will happen if this project isn't approved for that potential money. 

The Liberal fiscal framework says the government will spend $5 billion on new infrastructure projects in its first year — split equally between public transit, green projects and "social infrastructure."

In the meantime, people in Ross River are getting impatient.

"At this point there's no way to get across the river when there's ice flowing," said Loewen. She said people used to cross the bridge to fish or trap or go sledding. 

"We want it, we need it, and we've been told we can have it. They do one stage of the bridge, when are they going to finish it?"