Infrastructure boom
New water and waste funding for territory; Iqaluit port and harbour projects develop
Michele Le Tourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, May 8, 2017
NUNAVUT
The territory's beleaguered water and waste systems received an influx of federal money May 3, as Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi delivered the news of $172.5 million at the legislative assembly.
Justin McDonell, capital projects co-ordinator for Community and Government Services walks a crowd of 20 to 30 Iqaluit residents through the revised designs of the planned deep sea port and small craft harbour projects. - Michele LeTourneau/NNSL photo |
Nunavut will contribute an additional $57.7 million, bringing the total to more than $230 million.
This funding, said Sohi, will cover nine projects in 19 communities.
"We will build 21st century infrastructure to prepare communities to meet today's unique challenges," said Sohi.
The projects include:
- water infrastructure upgrades in Chesterfield Inlet, Arviat and Sanikiluaq - the first two were announced in Sept. 2016;
- a portable water supply unit to help ensure drinking water security in Grise Fiord, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Chesterfield Inlet, Clyde River, Gjoa Haven, Iglulik, Qikiqtarjuaq, Naujaat, Sanikiluaq and Whale Cove;
- wastewater upgrades in Kugaaruk and Kimmirut; upgrades to a water treatment plant and a new sewage treatment plant in Resolute Bay; and,
- upgrades to existing landfills in Arviat, Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Rankin Inlet, Kimmirut, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Iglulik, Hall Beach, Whale Cove and Sanikiluaq.
Rankin Inlet will also receive upgrades to its water and sewer distribution systems.
The funding, said Community and Government Services Minister Joe Savikataaq, will help communities meet their compliance requirements with environmental regulations.
"What makes this announcement even more meaningful is that the money will benefit the often underserved smaller hamlets across our territory," said Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo, who joined several GN ministers at the announcement.
During his three day trip, Sohi was also scheduled to visit Pangnirtung, where Savikataaq noted his department works with communities.
"We don't just say, 'This is happening in your community. This is what's going to be done.' We talk with communities to make sure that (projects) are a joint venture between the federal government, our government and the municipalities."
That point was evident at a community open house on the evening of the funding announcement, when his department presented an update on design plans for Iqaluit's $84.9 million deep sea port and small craft harbour projects, to which the federal government contributed $63.7 million.
As capital projects coordinator for Community and Government Services Justin McDonell explained to the 20 to 30 in attendance, there was a big change to the small craft harbour design since an initial design was proposed.
Aside from extensive consultation since September 2016, "a Boaters' Working Group composed of users, hunters, and boat owners was formed to review and inform the design of the small craft harbour," said McDonell.
One big change was the addition of a second breakwater to the north of the current one.
With a diagonal extension to the current breakwater, a more sheltered area between the two is created.
Originally, the sea bottom was going to be dredged and the material used to create a large parking lot, with a boat ramp. To the surprise of the project team, dredging turned out to be a low priority.
Instead of a parking lot, the new design shows ramp staging lanes and a larger sloped ramp nearer the original breakwater.
Advisian lead engineer Harald Kullmann explained dredging was dropped altogether in favour of an additional breakwater, as boaters and hunters wished.
To dredge and move the materials elsewhere would cost an addition $1 million not available at this time.
Jimmy Noble, who is on the working group, is "very happy" with the results.
"It's something that really means something to us. There was an opportunity to work with them, and they listened, which is very positive. We have to look at the long-term - dredging can come later - but we have to do it right the first time," he said, calling it a successful collaboration in which a lot of people took part.
Additionally, the old causeway, across the bay, near where the deep sea port will be constructed, will be improved to maintain access to water prior to the construction of the new small craft harbour, including improved tide access with the construction of additional ramps.
One concern yet to be addressed is the state of the road that leads to that area, especially with increased traffic.
CGS staff said a traffic study would be conducted, but funds were not currently earmarked for road improvement. That will be an issue dealt with after traffic studies are completed.
Operational plans for the facilities will be developed over the next year with Economic Development and Transportation.
The $41.2 million Pond Inlet small craft harbour project is undergoing a similar process.
The hope is that the Iqaluit and Pond Inlet projects will begin construction in 2018.
The water and waste projects have start dates mostly in 2017, with a few in 2018 and one 2019.
