Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
A relatively smooth summer season of Deh Cho Bridge construction has put the project on pace for completion by the end of next year.

The bridge, which was scheduled for completion this November when the GNWT took the reins of the project last year, was set behind schedule due to delayed steel deliveries last fall,

Transportation Minister Michael McLeod announced in May.

After the delivery of the steel, crews went to work completing the south and north steel truss, and the A-pylons are on schedule to be completed by October, said Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communication with the Department of Transportation.

"We're making steady progress on the bridge," Blacklock said. "The work that our most recent announcement expected to be done by end of 2011, will be done by 2011."

The grouting, paving, and abutment work requires four months of solid good weather, Blacklock said, and is planned for next year.

"We're anticipating it will be early fall 2012 when work will be complete," Blacklock said.

After it was announced that the bridge's completion would be delayed into next year, Fort Providence Mayor Raymond Bonnetrouge looked on the bright side, telling News/North that Fort Providence residents will have the opportunity to be employed on the project longer and the bridge crew will have more time to make purchases in the community.

Blacklock said the construction has kept a crew of 40 to 50 employees, including up to 10 NWT resident workers, primarily from Fort Providence.

Northern contractors and businesses are receiving an estimated $20 million from the construction of the bridge, Blacklock said.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.