Fort Providence (February 28, 2012) – Canada’s largest river, the Mackenzie, has now been spanned. Truss sections connecting the north and south sections of the Deh Cho Bridge came together on Sunday, February 26. Work crews shook hands across the newly connected trusses, marking a crucial milestone in the construction of the bridge.

Minister of Transportation David Ramsay thanked the crews, engineers, and department  staff responsible for the joining of the two sides. “Our staff and contractors have worked through the winter to connect the north and south sections of the bridge, sometimes in unpleasant and difficult conditions,” he said. “This connection will allow the next phases of work to take place.” These works include the erection of the remaining A-pylon and cables, and the placement of deck panels.

Once the deck panels and A-pylons are in place, grouting and paving of the driving surface are expected to occur over the summer. Work on the abutments and the placement of the guardrail will follow, likely in the fall of 2012.

The Deh Cho Bridge is the first permanent structure across the Mackenzie River and is expected to be completed in the late fall of 2012, depending on construction progress on the remaining work.

 For further information:

Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation
(867) 873-7712
(867) 445-3494 (cell)
earl_blacklock@gov.nt.ca