NNSL (Aug 30/99) - After 35 years of lobbying for a shortcut south, the Town of Fort Smith has finally received approval for a road to Fort Vermilion, Alta.

Preliminary construction and bush-clearing of the new road has already begun, with officials hoping to push a winter road through by Christmas time.

When complete, it will be a 116-kilometre stretch, connecting Smith to Vermilion via Wood Buffalo National Park.

Sheila Copps, minister of Canadian Heritage, was in Fort Smith two weeks ago giving her consent to the construction of the winter road.

Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos was elated by the news. He said the new road would be a huge boon to the community of 2,500.

"This will have tremendous impact on the community," said Martselos.

Martselos, who campaigned on the promise of the new road, said the road will bring tourists who otherwise would not travel to Smith because the town lies at the end of Highway 5.

"No one was happy about coming 240 kilometres and going back 240 kilometres on the same road -- now they have a choice," he said.

A proposed all-weather road will require further approval from the federal government.

"Parks Canada will do the environmental screening and this is going to be done within the department," Martselos said. "In the meantime, we have permission to go ahead with the winter road."

Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger said it's been a long journey to get the new road.

"Every mayor for the last 35 years, myself included, has been dogging this issue -- pushing to get this road open. It's been an issue of patience and perseverance.

The need for a new road has also been a safety concern for the people of Smith, Miltenberger said.

"It's also good from an emergency measures point of view," he said. "Back in '81 the road was cut off by fire and we thought we were going to have to evacuate the town.

Charlie Zinkan, acting director-general for Parks Canada West, said though the road will run through the Wood Buffalo National Park, the responsibility will not fall with Parks Canada.

"The construction, operation and maintenance of the road will be subject to an environmental screening as required by the Canadian Environmental Act," he said.

"Parks Canada will not invest in the road, finance the design, or undertake the responsibility for the maintenance of the road."