Cold Lake First Nations is calling for regional cooperation after the closure of the Mission Road Bridge created transportation and public safety challenges affecting residents, emergency responders and neighbouring communities.

In a letter sent to the M.D. of Bonnyville, the City of Cold Lake, and the Town of Bonnyville, Chief Kelsey Jacko outlined the growing impacts of the bridge closure and urged the municipalities to work together on both immediate and long-term solutions.

The bridge, located on Range Road 423 within Cold Lake First Nations, was closed after severe erosion and structural instability caused by high water levels at Reita Creek made the crossing unsafe.

According to the First Nation, the bridge serves as a critical transportation route used daily by residents, school buses, emergency services, businesses, contractors and government agencies.

Traffic shifted onto surrounding roads

With the bridge closed indefinitely, traffic has been rerouted onto alternate roads throughout the region, including Frog Lake Road and other municipal routes connecting to Highway 28.

Cold Lake First Nations says the increase in traffic is already creating new challenges, including accelerated road wear, increased dust, higher maintenance demands and additional safety concerns for drivers.

The First Nation noted that while the bridge is located within its community, the impacts are being felt well beyond its boundaries as traffic patterns shift across the region.

Emergency access among key concerns

One of the biggest concerns highlighted in the letter is emergency response.

Chief Jacko wrote that reliable transportation routes are essential for ambulance services, fire response, law enforcement and other critical services. Any delays caused by detours or deteriorating road conditions could affect emergency response times.

School transportation, service providers and businesses operating in the area have also been affected by the closure.

Cold Lake First Nations is currently working with Indigenous Services Canada on emergency response measures and repair planning, but no timeline has been announced for reopening the bridge.

Seeking a regional response

Rather than requesting direct funding, the First Nation is asking neighbouring municipalities to work together on managing the impacts of the closure.

The letter calls for continued communication between municipalities, coordinated emergency planning and support for road monitoring and maintenance on routes experiencing increased traffic.

The issue highlights how interconnected transportation infrastructure has become across the Lakeland, where a single bridge closure can affect residents, businesses and emergency services across multiple communities.

The correspondence was included in the June 9 M.D. of Bonnyville council agenda package and received as information.

For now, residents and travellers are being asked to use alternate routes while repair plans continue to be developed.