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DEH CHO
Construction on the more than $200-million Deh Cho Bridge project is set to conclude by November, according to Earl Blacklock, spokesperson for the Department of Transportation.

The Deh Cho Bridge still needs guardrails installed and a membrane surface laid down, which will protect the bridge superstructure from weather and water damage. - NNSL file photo

"We're closing in," said Blacklock.

Workers still need to finish paving the bridge, installing the guardrails and putting down the membrane surface, which will protect the bridge superstructure from weather and water damage.

"That isn't to say that there aren't things that could happen to impact that. If we were to have night and day biblical rains between now and then it won't happen,” said Blacklock. “So there is always something when you're dealing with a capital project that could affect the timeline.”

Deliveries behind schedule

Work on the bridge was supposed to be done last year but the opening was delayed because steel deliveries came in behind schedule. As a result, work on weather-sensitive activities, such as paving, was put on hold.

The budget for the project also changed after a few surprises caused it to balloon to $202 million from the $55 million set out a decade ago. To pay for the bridge, the government plans to charge $91.25 to $275 per commercial vehicle, depending on the number of axles and whether a remittance plan is in place. Blacklock said the tolls would be charged as soon as the bridge opens.

He said, once the superstructure is complete it will sport low intensity lights.

"It won't be brilliantly lit up for two reasons: one is we adapted our lighting to minimize risk to migratory birds and the second ... we wanted to keep the lighting to the point that (drivers') eyes could quickly adapt back to total darkness," he said.

Also, Blacklock said, the piers, which are currently covered in a rusty coloured protective coating, will not be painted. The colour will fade to a wine red patina over time, he added.

Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli said he believes the new bridge will bring greater opportunities to the region, including an increase in tourism. However, he is concerned there could also be some negatives impacts.

"There are obviously concerns in terms of the social impacts of the bridge," he said. "From a social point of view I know there are existing problems throughout the Northwest Territories, including Fort Providence where we have alcohol and drug problems, and those are issues that are ongoing and hopefully the bridge will not increase the prevalence of such problems."

The community will also have to deal with 24-hour traffic year round, he added.

Ferry employees will be affected too. Once the bridge is open, the Merv Hardie ferry will be taken out of the water, prepared for the winter and moved to another location next summer. Ferry employees have already received their notices, said Blacklock, adding there will be supports available for them.

"They have preference for other positions or there is a possibility of them being given positions on other ferries," he said. "These workers are very mobile. They are able to operate in ferries all across Canada."

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