The 1974 bridge was rehabilitated in the mid-2000s, which involved replacing the old Jersey-style concrete parapets with steel guardrail which offers a less obstructed view of the river, and adding a pedestrian walkway on the north side of the structure.

The cable-stayed design for the twin bridges, with two parallel spans carrying four total lanes, was to be the first of its kind in Ontario.

That is done using three sliding bearings, which hold main deck girders down to the concrete abutment while allowing lengthwise motion to act as an expansion joint.

[9] The deputy mayor of Greenstone, 125 kilometres (78 mi) northeast of the bridge, declared a state of emergency for the municipality as a result of the closure.

[13][14] Among the several points on the Trans-Canada Highway with only one crossing, all of which are in Northwestern Ontario, the two-lane Nipigon River Bridge was the longest.

[20] Two reports, from Surface Science Western and the National Research Council, were released pertaining solely to the analysis of the failed bolts connecting the bearing to the bridge girders.