Inuvik (Feb 21/03) - A training effort from various levels of government and private industry has nearly completed the trail around Boot Lake. All that's left now is the construction of a new walking bridge.

The Boot Lake Trail begins at the 5-12 at Jimmy Adams Peace Park and although there's always been a path around the lake, trail construction didn't formally begin until about five years ago as part of the Trans Canada Trail system.

Dennis Althouse, director of public services for the Town of Inuvik, said the project was only possible with training money from Education, Culture and Employment, the Department of Transportation and donations from Inuvik Gas.

Althouse said the town paid less than half of what the actual construction cost. "We've been receiving cash for this from a lot of outside sources and it's really worked out great for everyone," Althouse said.

The town paid for the supplies and engineering, which amounted to $30,000. Another $40,000 combined came from the other sources.

The support pilings were completed this week and construction has begun on the steel bridge decking and trusses.

"Hopefully, by the end of this winter, we'll have a trail circumnavigating Boot Lake," Althouse said. "It will give people a place to go jogging, where you don't have to turn around in the middle of no where and re-trace your steps."

Harley Peddle, project supervisor from Arctic Builders, said the footings for the bridge took his crew about four weeks to complete. The pilings are a sturdy construction, using 8-by-8 non-pressure treated lumber, constructed on steel I-beam footings and filled with rebar and crushed rock.

"The bridge will be made from 16-inch I-beams, so they wanted to build it solid," Peddle said. "It will be a little higher in the middle, because it's bound to settle a little bit in the spring."

The crew of six worked on other sections of the trail last year. Peddle said the bridge will all but finish the route.

"There is some more gravel to spread, but this is about the end of it," Peddle said.

Althouse said a welding class at Aurora College will finish building the 35.6-metre bridge.

"We supplied the steel and the welding class will be welding the bridge in sections and it will be put in place with a front end loader," Althouse said. "They'll get some experience in welding and rigging and putting it in place and other different facets of the construction."

The bridge will be completed by the end of March.