Fort Providence (Oct 25/04) - As one participant was heard commenting during a break, last week's environmental hearing into a proposed bridge over the Mackenzie River seemed like a "walk in the park."

About 75 intervenors and members of the public raised very few environmental issues at the Oct. 21 hearing in Fort Providence before the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.

Instead, there was much more discussion on non-environmental issues, such as division of profits, bureaucratic concerns about land transfers, potential disruptions to a few nearby residents and details of ownership. The only environmental issue that received any prolonged discussion was raised by Fort Providence carpenter Chris MacGregor, who wondered what might happen if a tanker truck turned over and spilled its load on the bridge.

Bridge project manager Andrew Gamble pointed out that such trucks already cross the river on a ferry, and an ice road in the winter.

"A bridge is less risky," he said.

MacGregor and others also asked about oily run-off caused by normal vehicle traffic. The answer was that run-off will flow to holding ditches on either side of the inclined bridge and be removed.

Representatives with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in Yellowknife and Environment Canada said the environmental process should not drag much longer.

Mike Fournier, the environmental assessment co-ordination with Environment Canada, said concerns about migratory birds striking the bridge and disturbance of nests on the structure have been addressed by measures such as visual and auditory deterrents.

As for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, its concerns about the loss of fish habitat caused by road approaches and bridge piers have been addressed with the developer. The current ferry landings and ice road crossing approaches will be removed, providing a replacement of fish spawning and rearing areas.

Fort Providence's Metis Local and Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation jointly own the corporation that plans to build the $55-million bridge.

Albert Lafferty, the bridge corporation's chief operating officer, was confident the review board will return with a favourable recommendation.

Vern Christensen, the board's executive director, said a report is expected to go to INAC in six to eight weeks.

Final approval

Once all the approvals are obtained, the corporation will seek final approval from the community before construction starts.

The corporation anticipates all financing will be in place by spring, with construction beginning in June and the bridge opening by late fall of 2006.

After 35 years of operation, the bridge will be turned over to the GNWT.

The GNWT, a financial backer of the project with loan guarantees, will also collect and distribute a $5-$6 per tonne toll on commercial trucks.