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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A three-day closure of the Mackenzie Valley winter road north of Wrigley led to a backlog of transport trucks in Fort Simpson and some economic benefits.

These six transport trucks parked on Antoine Drive across from the Village of Fort Simpson office were among more than 65 waiting in the village on Jan. 18 for the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road to reopen. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The road was closed on the evening of Jan. 15 because of the interaction between higher-than- normal levels of traffic on the road and a heavy snowfall. Vehicles got bogged down in the snow that accumulated over the weekend and into Jan. 14, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communications for the Department of Transportation.

"When you are spinning tires with chains you can do a lot of damage," he said. "It got to the point the road conditions were unsafe for traffic."

Blacklock said there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of traffic on the road this winter because of oil and gas exploration in the Sahtu. He was unable to say how much traffic has increased.

With the road closed, transport trucks waiting to make the trip north began to accumulate in Fort Simpson. By Thursday night there were more than 65 transport trucks and trailers parked in various locations around the village including beside the Nahanni Inn, on Antoine Drive across from the Village of Fort Simpson office and along Jimmy Isaiah Drive in the village's industrial area. The highest concentration was in the parking lot at Landmark Grocery.

Dennis Nelner, the store manager, said at one point there were between 30 and 40 transport trucks parked by the store. The road closure created some positive benefits for the business, he said.

The store sold a lot of diesel fuel during the closure as well as other items including snacks and pre-packaged meals.

"We've had a few good days," Nelner said.

Some of the truckers also used the store as a place to gather and chat.

"There are some colourful characters on these highways," said Nelner, adding it was good to get to know them.

The trucks began to leave early Saturday morning when the Department of Transportation began to allow traffic to move north in piloted convoys. Traffic was later escorted from Tulita to the south. More than 120 vehicles were escorted along the road, said Blacklock.

The road between Wrigley and Tulita was reopened both ways to unescorted traffic by Jan. 21.

On Monday at Landmark, Nelner said there were still waves of traffic coming and going on the highway.

"It's not going to stop until the season is over," he said.

The closure and increased traffic on the highway has also led to increased business for at least one company in Wrigley. PKCL, the economic arm of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation, has the contract to maintain the winter road between Camsell Bend and Blackwater River.

Speaking on Jan. 18, Chief Tim Lennie said employees were working double shifts to fix the closed road.

"There is definitely an increase in man hours," he said.

Maintaining and keeping safe passage on the winter road is a priority, said Lennie. The increase in truck traffic on the road is noticeable.

"There's a lot of rig equipment and infrastructure going down," he said.

"It's very busy this winter for sure."

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