A plan is in place to bring the footbridge in Ross River up to a standard that will allow for up to 10 people to cross at a time.

That’s according to the Friends of the Ross River Foot Bridge group on Facebook.

After a meeting Tuesday night in the village, the group pushing for the 70-year-old structure to be saved reported on its Facebook page government officials told residents work will be done over two phases.

“Although the timeline is tight, there is much to be excited, pleased, grateful, moved and downright happy about,” the group stated before going into details on the plan.

Essentially, the first phase will see the two bridge towers stabilized “by building a well-secured ‘brace,’ pile-driven, cemented and placed independently on either side of the existing tower using two 36-inch pipes connected with cross beams. The existing cabling will be lifted up and placed on this new head/cross beam.”

The second phase will see sway cables tightened, deck flooring replaced and new stairs built, the group stated on its Facebook page.

“This plan is a long-term solution, and design parameters will restrict the load capacity to 10 people at one time. Yahoo,” the group noted.

Government officials who attended the meeting included three deputy ministers, Yukon Party MLA Stacey Hassard and a community advisor with the Department of Community Services.

They also told those at the session the modifications could still allow for the bridge to be designated as a heritage site “because the structure (would be) essentially preserved and easily seen.”

The bridge was closed in 2012.

Though the government had initially looked at repairing it last year, when an engineering report declared it at risk of collapse, plans were made to demolish it.

The potential demolition sparked protests which prevented contractors from accessing the structure and ramped up efforts to note its historical worth, sparking national media attention.

Its history as a link to local First Nation’s traditional territory, connection to the Canol pipeline it was originally built for, and status as the longest suspension footbridge in North America were all highlighted during the controversy.

“It’s a national treasure,” Kitty Sperling, who’s been leading much of the campaign to save the bridge, said earlier this year.

A letter from Heritage Canada The National Trust sent to Community Services Minister Brad Cathers last spring called for the footbridge to be saved. It argued more time was needed for heritage conservation experts to look at the 70-year-old structure.

Shortly after, the government announced the demolition was put on hold, with the government then moving ahead with a stabilization plan.

The Friends of the Ross River Foot Bridge group called the plan revealed in Ross River Tuesday “a long-term solution.”

There are some very tight timelines though, they added.

“OK, so the plan is to complete at least the north tower construction before the ferry is taken out of commission, which means that by the time the tender opens and closes, we will be looking at Sept. 26th as the earliest possible start date for constructive action! The ferry is slated to be taken out just after Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 14), depending on conditions, so there is a very, very tight timeframe to complete at least the north tower stabilization.”

The Friends group went on to note the options outlined if there is a delay.

They include construction during the winter months using an ice bridge to support the weight of machinery for the work or “doing what can be done to mitigate the risk of the bridge collapsing, such as welding the head beam as an emergency procedure to help stabilize the bridge until construction of Phase 1 can begin.”

The group went on to thank all those who supported the efforts to save the bridge as well as the government departments involved “for working to preserve the integrity and functionality of this incredible structure.”

As of this morning, the post on the Friends Facebook page was showing 24 “likes” with five people commenting on it, largely to thank those involved in the move to save the structure. A total of five people also shared the post.

“It’s a good day,” Kevin Barr, the NDP’s Community Services critic, said late this morning. “That is what we’ve been pushing for all along.”

While Barr noted the time, effort and money that’s been wasted on tenders and planning for demolition which didn’t have to be spent, he also said he’s happy the government finally came on-side with the community.

It never made sense to tear down the bridge, he said.

While the bridge hasn’t been stabilized yet, he said, the government’s options if there is a delay are a good indication that there’s a “strong willingness” to proceed with the plan that will stabilize it. That will allow the community to use it again and preserve its heritage value as well.

Government officials did not respond to the Star’s request to speak about the plan by press time this afternoon today.

Nor has it issued a news release on its plans.