Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Aug 14/98) - Drivers inbound to Fort Simpson have long been confronted with a sign warning, "Caution, major road construction."

It's never been more apparent than it is this week. Occupied by a huge back hoe, dump-trucks and a crew of laborers, 100 Street is being torn up in front of the recreation centre.

The road maintenance crew will be making its way down 220 metres of main street over a scheduled six-week period.

Through block funding with the department of municipal and community affairs (MACA), the village has set aside $200,000 for road work this year. Over the next few years, residents of Fort Simpson can expect a detour or two as the sewage pipes are repaired put in place, roads are paved and sidewalks and curbs are built.

"Unfortunately, you have to take the bad before you can get the good," said Bruce Leclaire, the village's senior administrative officer.

Ultimately, all the streets in Fort Simpson are going to be paved, according to Leclaire.

"Someday... as money becomes available," he said. "We've got a lot of major projects under way and we can only do so much."

As for the major roads, the plan is to have them covered in asphalt in the third and final year of the project.

"Hopefully, we'll have sufficient funds so that the paving, curbs and sidewalks will all be done in the same year," he said.

The project is keeping local contractors busy and providing "longer-term jobs," he added.