Thunder Bay studies CN's revised offer for reopening bridge

CN Rail has revised its most recent offer to the city of Thunder Bay for reopening the James Street swing bridge.

Details of the offer have not yet been made public. Changes mean council will put off its in-camera discussions for another week.

• Keith Hobbs may get legal help to address James St. bridge issues

Councillors were supposed to get a briefing from the city's lawyer and city staff at their meeting tonight.

But city manager Tim Commisso said CN submitted some revised terms on Jan. 15 and he and the city solicitor advised council they now need to update their report and recommendations.

Mayor Keith Hobbs said the postponement gives more time to study the ramifications of the railway's proposal.

"You know, I still have concerns with it and I won't get into those right now but, ultimately I'd like to see CN rebuild the bridge, no liability to the city, and that seems to be the stumbling block that I see."

City manager Tim Commisso said he doesn't like the delay, as the city had told the railway it needed all its questions answered before council could get a full update and recommendations from staff.

But Hobbs said he’s hoping “we'll have some sort of decision” tonight.

“We've been negotiating for a year — over a year. So trying to get CN to budge and do the right thing, and see where it goes from here."

Councillor Aldo Ruberto is anxious to push ahead.

"All we're focused on right now is getting that bridge open,” he said.

“We want CN to come forward and take on their responsibilities. And, we're just working with that goal in mind ... the sooner the better. That's our bottom line.”

In an earlier interview with CBC News, Hobbs said he knows the details in the offer, but is unable to share them at this point

CN made a deal before, that was made public, but the city rejected it.