TULITA/FORT NORMAN
Tulita will receive $297,200 from the federal government to help deal with the community's drainage issues.
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency is providing the money, which will be put toward a two-year project to help mitigate spring flooding.
Tulita Mayor Danny Yakeleya said the announcement is welcome.
Yakeleya said because of a lack of proper drainage, large pools of water develop in portions of town during spring melt. That water also seeps underneath roadways, dissolving the town's roads.
"There are four or five spots where that section of road almost becomes like a jelly when you drive on it," he said. "This is starting to happen more and more as the years go on. The road is actually starting to break apart. Driving on them is very difficult."
Yakeleya said as a result, drivers have to navigate around bad spots, which is getting dangerous.
"You're almost driving quite far off the road now, almost into the ditch," he said. "These roads are jellying."
Roads are vital in Tulita where water and sewage trucks service households six days a week, Yakeleya added.
"This is a lifeline to the houses and buildings in town, we need these services," he said. "When the roads are breaking down, it really impacts on the community."
Fixing roads will also benefit vehicles used by the oil and gas industry, said Chris Chai, senior administrative officer.
"It will save a lot of wear and tear on equipment," he said.
The community performed a drainage study a few years ago, which identified areas of particular concern, Yakeleya said. The money from CanNor will be used to clear out ditches to promote drainage, replace culverts and upgrade roadways.
Chai said preliminary materials have already arrived in Tulita via the winter road.
"The culverts are already here," he said. "There is enough for us to work on until the next shipment comes in by barge."
Yakeleya said upgrading the roads is a big job. Two summers ago, the community repaired a section of road in front of the Northern store.
Workers had to dig down three metres to complete the excavation.
"All that dirt was almost a slurry," he said.
Yakeleya said he expects other portions of the town's roads are in a similar condition.
Granular material for the road work will have to be brought in from outside of Tulita and Yakeleya said it might come from Norman Wells.
About 20 jobs will be created throughout the project, according to a CanNor press release.
Most of the work will take place during the summer months, Yakeleya said.
Employment opportunities usually dwindle in the summer months after the ice road closes and oil and gas projects slow down, so summer jobs will be a great boost to the community, Yakeleya said.
"The hamlet will be hiring quite a few people," he said. "It will be great for the community to be able to provide employment through the summer."
Chai said he hopes work will begin as soon as possible.
