Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Rae-Edzo (Dec 06/99) - The long and winding road between Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife is going to be extra busy over the next couple of months.

With the winter re-supply of BHP's Ekati diamond mine, the anticipated construction at Diavik's diamond mine site, and the re-opening of Lupin mine at the end of the 670-kilometre ice road, truck traffic is expected to increase dramatically.

Trucks hauling fuel and equipment up the ice road must first travel the twisty hard-pack road from Rae-Edzo to Yellowknife before turning left at the eastern end of Highway 3 onto the Ingraham Trail.

It is expected 3,150-3,250 round trips will be made on the route.

Rae resident Dave Siemens estimates he has driven between Rae and Yellowknife an average of twice a week for the last 16 years.

"When I come to Yellowknife sometimes people ask me 'How's the road?'" said Siemens. "I say 'Nothing wrong that $80 million can't fix."

Siemens said caution is the key to survival on Highway 3 any time of the year.

"That road is a very safe road in good conditions, if you stick to the right and slow down for oncoming traffic," said Siemens.

"Those are the two rules you have to follow, that and better the ditch than dead."

He said he stops for trucks carrying wide loads and for all trucks during and immediately after snowfalls, when the road is slippery and tires kick-up clouds of snow.

Lupin mine owner Echo Bay has their logistics manager Kirk McLellan discussing safety issues, including speed limits, separation between trucks and monitoring, with the RCMP and the trucking companies it is contracting to resupply Lupin.

"We're going to do everything we can do to limit the traffic during the busy hours," said McLellan.