Fort Providence (May 20/05) - Contract opportunities associated with a Mackenzie River bridge and how project profits will be shared were discussed at a Deh Cho Bridge Corporation meeting May 7-8.

Entrepreneurs in Fort Providence will have a chance to get involved in hauling equipment and gravel, crushing and clearing, operating camps and catering, sewage and water, surveying and providing labour, according to Michael Vandell, president of the Bridge Corporation.

The supplies of cement and steel will be left to experienced international companies, he noted. He said tenders for the one kilometre, $55 million bridge should be awarded by August.

Albert Norwegian, a Fort Providence resident who owns a small trucking company, said the project should bring a boost to his bottom line. "Just about every small business in town is involved in that thing," he said.

The biggest concern is the timeline, according to Norwegian. He said he and other businesspeople started gearing up for the bridge about a year and a half ago, but delays in construction have been costly.

"I hope it comes true," he said. "A guy will get a little bit of money out of it, and down the line you'll have a bridge. It's good for everybody."

Permits for the project had to be re-applied for because so much time had elapsed, Vandell noted.

Following an environmental assessment, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board stated that it expected the bridge would not cause significant environmental harm. Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Andy Scott has since approved the board's recommendation.

A concession agreement with the territorial government will hopefully be concluded by the end of May, Vandell said. The GNWT will assume control of the bridge in 35 years from the Fort Providence Dene and Metis. Tolls will be charged on commercial traffic.

Vandell said the minimum profit expected from the first year of bridge operation is about $260,000.

As the debt is paid down over five years, profits should start to climb to close to $1 million, he said.

The community's benefits plan sets aside 15 per cent of bridge profits to address social impacts, including alcohol and drugs, according to Vandell.

Thirty per cent will go into economic development and training. Another 10 per cent will be designated towards housing.

However, he pointed out that the community does not want to take over government programs. Fort Providence also wants to avoid having the GNWT claw back any of its funding.

Some of the profit will also be allotted for recreation. One initiative that the community members support is artificial ice in the arena, said Vandell.

Another possibility is to contribute money to the hamlet to have local roads chip-sealed, he added.