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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
One business in Fort Providence is already experiencing and adapting to changes created by the Deh Cho Bridge.

On Nov. 30, the day the bridge opened, Big River Service Centre LP began offering 24-hour service. The business, located near the junction of the Fort Providence access road and Highway 3, had previously been open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.

More than a week into the new hours Dave Wilkes, the centre's general manager, said things have been going well.

"It's not very busy midnight to 6 a.m.," he said.

Seeing travellers at that time of the day, however, was previously very unusual when traffic was dependent on the ferry, Wilkes said. Apart from a few late-night travellers, traffic has been mostly normal for this time of the year.

There have, however, been fewer transport trucks. Normally stores in Yellowknife are stocking up for the winter during this time period, he said. With the bridge it's no longer necessary.

"It's accessible now," said Wilkes.

Preparing for the bridge opening was a multi-year process for the business. When Wilkes started as the general manager in April 2009, he came with the goal of getting Big River on par with any truck stop, gas station, restaurant combination that could be found in the south. As many changes as possible, including construction of a new front deck, reorganization of the convenience store and decor upgrades, were made before the bridge opened.

One of the more recent changes was the addition of new signage. Big River now has a sign above the gas pumps with new lighting and a sign beside the highway that displays current prices at the pumps. New pumps will soon be installed as well

Big River also debuted a new service on the day of the bridge opening. For a small fee, the company will deliver food from its restaurant within an eight-kilometre radius. For now, the delivery service is available Thursdays to Sundays.

"We're getting a decent response on it," said Wilkes.

The bridge opening itself was a boon for the company.

"There was standing room only," he said. "It was insane in here."

November is always a slow month and sales increased dramatically as people came in from Yellowknife and Hay River to witness the opening. Acting on the advice of the Department of Transportation, the company cleared extra room for parking to accommodate all of the expected customers.

One of the biggest benefits the bridge will give Big River is the elimination of the yearly period in April and May when neither the winter road nor the ferry was open, said Wilkes. The lull in traffic that could last between 2.5 and eight weeks meant the business wasn't making enough to cover the hydro bill.

"Now we have a much more level playing field," he said.

Wilkes also expects to see an increased number of travellers and tourists this summer. Big River would get calls at all times of the year from people wanting to make sure the ferry was open and it was a good time to travel.

Those travel concerns kept a lot of people away, he said. The bridge will increase the confidence of tourists and business travellers who are thinking about coming North, said Wilkes.

"I think it's a good thing for the NWT in general," he said about the bridge.

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