Iqaluit (July 12/04) - What should be the busiest season for construction companies in Iqaluit has ground to a halt.

Since June 3, the city's gravel quarry in the North 40 area has been closed because of environmental concerns.

The closure came when Indian and Northern Affairs Canada issued an inspector's directive.

Stephen Traynor, director of operations for the federal department, said there was some concern about the environmental impact of the quarry, which is located near a waste site. He said in the fall, fuel from the waste site leaked into a creek.

"In the interest of environmental safety we had to issue the directive," he said. As of June 29, a stock pile of material was approved for construction use.

Brad Sokach, director of engineering and planning, said the closure has affected the city's plans for the summer.

Without gravel, the city has been unable to fix roads and start development projects. While the city has been in discussions with INAC to get the quarry re-opened, Traynor said the department needs to see a management plan mapping out digging zones that will minimize the impact on the waste site.

Sokach said because of the closure, the city has had to spend about $30,000 to conduct over 100 soil samples -- all of which have come back negative for heavy metals and other contaminants so far.

Waiting game

John Jacobsen, president of Tower Arctic Ltd., said the only thing they can do is wait until the problem is resolved.

"We've lost six weeks of productive work that we can't get back," he said. "It's now time to focus on resolving this problem."

Tom Webster, co-owner of Mikim Contracting, said gravel is key to all construction.

"If there's no gravel, then all development stops," he said. So far the lack of gravel hasn't affected the construction of Joamie school or the Qikiqtani General Hospital.