FORT PROVIDENCE (December 3, 2012) – Traffic is now flowing on the newly opened Deh Cho Bridge near Fort Providence. The Bridge permits 24 hour traffic across the Mackenzie River year round.

Premier Bob McLeod and Transportation Minister David Ramsay, together with community leaders and elders, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Bridge. Premier McLeod said "this was an important achievement that will benefit the people of the Northwest Territories for generations to come."

Minister of Transportation David Ramsay was pleased that the Bridge was open in time for the peak winter travel period. "Those travellers wanting to cross the river to meet family and friends this holiday season now have certainty for their holiday plans. Operators of commercial vehicles will also benefit from this certainty as they make deliveries to the North Slave region," the Minister said.

The opening of the Bridge was a time of celebration, with an estimated 500 people, including 200 from out of town, attending a feast hosted by the community of Fort Providence. The meal was followed by a spectacular fireworks show put on by the consultants who worked on the project.

The Deh Cho Bridge is the first to cross Canada's longest river. The Mackenzie River is the last of the world's great rivers to be spanned.

For more information, contact

Shaun Dean
Press Secretary
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: (867) 669-2304
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca