SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Parties connected to the Deh Cho Bridge remain mum on its status as the delay in its construction enters a second week.

Last week, News/North reported the corporation responsible for the bridge - the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation - and the prime contractor tasked with building it - ATCON Construction - were in discussions over contractual disputes relating to the two parties' $132-million agreement to put a bridge over the Mackenzie River. Work stopped on the bridge early last week, according to a Department of Transportation spokesperson.

Andrew Gamble, project manager of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, was reached in Edmonton before boarding a flight Monday afternoon.

He would not comment on what areas the two entities are disputing, and whether the talks had to do with ATCON's recent $50 million loan guarantee from the New Brunswick government, or whether the dispute was because the final design plans on the bridge have not been approved yet by a certified engineer.

Gamble also would not comment on when he believes an announcement could be expected following talks, but he did say there could be something by week's end - or not.

"We're always in discussions and meetings with ATCON," he said.

Last week, Jack Rowe, co-owner of the only Northern subcontractor on the project, Rowe's Construction, said he had received an e-mail indicating his company's future with the contract was uncertain.

But Gamble would not comment on the future role of the subcontractors in the bridge project either.

When asked why the corporation wasn't revealing details from its discussions with ATCON, and leaving the public to speculate on the status of the $165 million project, Gamble said: "I can appreciate that concern," before again declining further comment.

Dorothy Innes, spokesperson for ATCON, stated by e-mail that there was "no change" from last week.

Department of Transportation spokesperson Earl Blacklock said the government was privy to the talks, but said commenting on the dispute was the bridge corporation's responsibility.

"We are very aware of what is happening in the talks and we are very aware of the steps that the (bridge corporation) is taking," he said.

Blacklock added the corporation is "attempting to resolve not just their own issues relative to the principal contractor but just ensuring the project goes ahead smoothly" and said there were "multiple parties involved in multiple meetings and discussions."

Michael Vandell, president of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, and Rob Cleave, project manager with Ruskin Construction - the other project subcontractor, based out of Prince George, B.C. - did not return phone calls Monday.

Rowe could not be reached late Monday afternoon.

The Deh Cho Bridge was behind schedule before this year's construction season began. Ruskin Construction and Rowe's Construction are scheduled to put in the bridge's four piers on the north side of the river this summer and fall. Pouring and casting concrete in warmer temperatures, Gamble told Yellowknifer last September, is far easier than in colder weather.

The bridge is scheduled for completion in winter 2010.