Fort Providence (Oct 24/03) - The latest agreement on a proposed bridge over the Mackenzie River was initialled Tuesday in Fort Providence.

The deal between the GNWT and the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation defines the terms and conditions under which the corporation will design, finance, build, own and operate the bridge.

It also outlines the rights and obligations of the corporation and the government during the bridge's two-year construction phase and 35 years of operation.

The kilometre-long structure -- steel girders with a concrete deck -- will be known as the Deh Cho Bridge and will cross the river at Fort Providence.

Corporation president Michael Vandell says there are still minor details to work out before a final agreement is signed, probably before Christmas.

"The community has to approve it," Vandell says of a final deal, noting there will be public meetings once it is concluded.

Transportation Minister Joe Handley says Tuesday's concession agreement is a "major step" for the project, explaining it basically outlines how the financing will operate.

Vandell said the design has been completed and reviewed by government, permits have been applied for, and TD Securities has been chosen as the debt financing partner.

"This initialling means that we have agreed to the main elements of a long-term contract," he explained.

After 35 years, the bridge would be paid for and handed over to the GNWT.

A memorandum of understanding was signed a year ago between the corporation and the GNWT on the $50 million to $60 million project.

Construction is scheduled to start in early 2004 and should be completed by the fall of 2005.

Revenues will be used to pay for the maintenance and debt servicing, and provide a return to the alliance of Fort Providence organizations building the bridge.

Andrew Gamble, the project manager with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, explains a toll will only apply to commercial cargo heading north.

The toll has been set at a maximum $6 per ton of cargo, but Gamble hopes it will be closer to $5 per ton.

There will be no toll on private vehicles.

It is still to be determined if the toll operation will be manned or automatic.

Gamble says the bridge will save travel time in several instances. In the winter, vehicles will save half an hour on a round trip by not having to detour to an ice road. There will also be no more waiting for the ferry or waiting for line-ups of traffic to clear.

Plus, he notes the bridge will eliminate ferry interruptions during spring break-up and winter freeze-up.

"That can be days or weeks," he said.

A two-lane highway will cross the bridge, with enough shoulder room for disabled vehicles to pull over.