Government says Fort Providence bridge not a priority
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 15/00) - Federal and territorial funding for a study of the feasibility of building a bridge across the Mackenzie should not be seen as support for construction of a bridge, say representatives of both governments.
The $100,000 study is being overseen jointly by the hamlet of Fort Providence, Deh Gah Got'ie Dene Council and Fort Providence Metis Nation.
Most of the money -- $70,000 -- came from Indian and Northern Affairs resource partnership program. The remainder came out of the budget of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. The report is due in March.
"We made it very clear it was one-time funding to look at the benefits of it and doesn't include any commitment beyond this study," said RWED deputy minister Bob McLeod.
During his visit to Yellowknife Monday to sign a funding agreement for construction of bridges along the ice road, Robert Nault said the federal government is not considering building the bridge.
"It something that hasn't shown up on the priority list of the region," said Nault.
Premier Kakfwi agreed, saying "We're not sure that's the best place to put the resources."
A Mackenzie River bridge was not mentioned in the government's highway strategy, released in November.
McLeod said getting communities like Colville Lake and Wekweti, which have no road service any time of the year, on the winter road system is more of a priority for the department.
The cost of building winter roads to those communities would be minuscule -- measured in the hundreds of thousands -- compared to the $60 million price tag for the bridge.
"We're certainly interested in the results, what the benefits would be and what the costs would be," added McLeod.
