Fort Simpson (Apr 15/05) - Several ice crossings across the NWT were to be shut down this week as spring-like temperatures melted snow and ice on the surface.

The Mackenzie River crossing at Fort Providence was off limits to light traffic - vehicles less than 2,500 kg - as of noon Wednesday. It was to be closed to all other traffic as of Friday at 3 p.m. The rapidly deteriorating ice conditions included rough sections, potholes, slush and water, the Department of Transportation warned earlier this week.

The closure of that ice crossing - the link between Yellowknife and southern Canada - means that traffic dwindles. At Fort Providence's Big River Service - a gas station, restaurant, convenience store and motel - owner Cheryl Patenaude said business drops off as much as 99 per cent. Because she's become accustomed to the interruption, which lasted 31 days last year, Patenaude said she tends to leave projects such as painting until this point in the spring.

"But we really don't like the loss of revenue," she said, adding that construction of the Deh Cho bridge will come as a welcome relief.

In Fort Simpson, the Liard River crossing should endure until the weekend, possibly longer, according to Gerald Perron of the Department of Transportation. The same goes for the Ndulee crossing to Wrigley, he said.

A grader was sent out on the Liard River Monday afternoon to push slush aside as the mercury approached double digits.

Transportation employees began daily assessments of the Simpson and Wrigley crossings on Tuesday.

"We'll try to give (motorists) 48-hours notice," Perron said.

Monday's forecast called for temperatures to cool during the week, making it conceivable that the ice bridges may be open until Sunday, Perron acknowledged.

"I would like to get another weekend out of it, but it's hard to say," he said, noting that the Liard ice bridge shut down on April 19 last year.

The ice crossing at Dettah closed Monday at noon.

Winter roads to Rae Lakes and Wha Ti were to shut down on Wednesday.