KA'A'GEE TU/KAKISA - Residents of Kakisa, along with Michael McLeod, the minister of transportation, celebrated the opening of the new Kakisa River Bridge on Monday at 3 p.m.

"They made the bridge higher, wider, to meet today's standards," said Kakisa Chief Lloyd Chicot.

Kakisa chief Lloyd Chicot, left, cuts the ribbon with transportation minister Michael McLeod, marking the official opening of the new Kakisa River Bridge on Monday at around 3 p.m. - photo courtesy of Earl Blacklock

The original one had reached the end of its design lifespan.

"I think they built it around 1957, back in the day when there wasn't that much traffic going through here. Since the mines opened up we've been getting more traffic and heavier traffic," said Chicot.

The bridge had a design lifespan of 50 years according to Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs for the Department of Transportation.

"Just because it's reached the end of its design life doesn't mean you necessarily have to replace it," said Blacklock. "When (the engineers) looked at the old Kakisa bridge, the engineers decided that the most cost effective way of ensuring that this vital link was maintained was to replace it entirely."

Blacklock said that the old bridge is still around, but currently blocked to traffic.

"The old one will be demolished in the next year. It's closed to traffic now, but I think there are plans within the next two months to use it for detour purposes," he said, while final touches are put on the new bridge.

The project's final price tag was $18 million, which included building approaches to the bridge and removing the old bridge.

The main contractor was Atcon Construction, and the main engineering firm was Associate Engineering. Others included Stan Dean and Sons, Rowe's Construction, and EBE Engineering.

Chicot said the community was consulted before work began.

"When they were looking (at starting the project) they came here and updated the community, listened to our concerns, and we wanted them to incorporate what was in and around the bridge - the old trails that people still used. They took all of that into consideration," said Chicot.

"They took measures to make sure (if there are any fuel spills) it doesn't go into the river," he continued.

Chicot said in one incident a few years ago on the old bridge a truck tipped over and spilled a small amount of fuel into the river, which was quickly contained.

"That area of the river is a big spawning area for a lot of fish. As we speak there are fish coming up there from the Mackenzie," Chicot said on Tuesday.

The new bridge has a design lifespan of 75 years.