In a ceremony that blended tradition with modern observances residents of Fort Providence marked the beginning of the Deh Cho Bridge construction on Aug. 24.

More than 100 people gathered along the Mackenzie River near the ferry crossing where the span will be built. Presided over by the Deputy Commissioner of the NWT Margaret Thom, the ceremony began with a drum prayer song by the Deh Gah Got'ie Male Drummers. Traditional elements also included the four directions song performed by the Fort Providence Female Drummers and the feeding of the fire and the river.

Michael Vandell, president of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, left, Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod, Premier Joe Handley, Transportation Minister Kevin Menicoche, Robert Tozer, president of Atcon Construction Inc., and NWT Commissioner Tony Whitford ceremonially shovel gravel to mark the launch of the Deh Cho Bridge construction. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Chief Berna Landry, of the Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation, said the elders requested the ceremony because of the importance of the project.

"By feeding the fire and the water we'll be starting the right way," said Landry.

As part of the ceremony, Michael Vandell, the president of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, and Robert Tozer, the president of Atcon Construction Inc., the company that will build the bridge, used gold coloured shovels in a sod-turning event.

Later at the community hall, Vandell and Tozer signed a limited notice to proceed. A similar agreement was signed between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the corporation allowing prep work to begin on the project.

The total cost of the bridge will be in excess of $150 million. Atcon is expected to proceed with construction at a guaranteed maximum price with a completion date of 2010.

The corporation plans to complete $3 to $4 million worth of preparatory work over the fall, Vandell said in an earlier interview. The work will include clearing gravel sites to prepare the areas to crush gravel and also establishing the campsite.

The plan is to have those facilities in place so work can begin in June, Vandell said.

Community and government leaders lauded the launch of the project.

"This bridge has been talked about for a long time and finally we get to that place now," said Chief Berna Landry referring to the launch.

The bridge will create a link between the north and the south as well as build good relations between the territorial government and the community, she said.

"I hope and I pray that this bridge will be built and everything will go well," Landry said.

President Albert Lafferty of the Fort Providence Metis Council, thanked community members for their continued support over the years, despite the challenges the project faced.

Construction will create more benefits than just the bridge, said Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod. Spin-offs will include jobs, contracts for local companies, a lower cost of living and no transportation delays in the spring and fall.

Many community members who were attending the ceremony expected to see the benefits. Veronica Gargan and Caroline Gargan said the bridge will mean lower grocery and gas prices in the winter when they are normally raised.

Training associated with the bridge's construction will provide people skills they can use to obtain other jobs later on, said Marceline Lesage.

"I'm happy about the bridge coming to this town," said Lesage.