FORT PROVIDENCE (November 6, 2012) – The official opening of the Deh Cho Bridge will be held on Friday, November 30, 2012.
In a Minister’s Statement read in the Legislative Assembly this afternoon, the Honourable David Ramsay, Minister of Transportation, advised Members that final construction work is being completed on the bridge. He expressed satisfaction with the project’s imminent completion. “The Deh Cho Bridge represents a tremendous improvement in the level of service over the current ferry and ice road crossing, and will increase economic development in our territory,” he said. “Children born today will still be using this bridge in their retirement years.”
Minister Ramsay credited the decision of the Legislative Assembly to provide additional resources for the Bridge with ensuring completion this year. The money was used to settle claims and accelerate construction, bringing the total construction cost for the Bridge to $202 million. The Minister noted that a delay in the Bridge opening could have meant substantial additional costs and the loss of toll revenue that will now be avoided.
The Deh Cho Bridge will provide year-round access to the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, eliminating the uncertainty that comes from the current ferry and ice crossing system. The Bridge will reduce environmental risks and impacts by no longer needing the half a million litres of fuel used annually to power the ferry.
The Department of Transportation is working closely with the community of Fort Providence to plan a celebration the afternoon of November 30, honouring the contributions of the community and those involved in the design, construction, and oversight of the project. More detailed information on the celebration will be posted beginning November 22 on the project website at www.dehchobridge.info.
The Deh Cho Bridge will provide year-round access to the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, eliminating the uncertainty that comes from the current ferry and ice crossing system. The bridge will reduce environmental risks and impacts by eliminating the need for idling, half a million litres of fuel annually to power the ferry, and the possibility of a spill into the Mackenzie River.
A toll on commercial vehicle operators is in place, and information on toll collection and enforcement has been provided to commercial operators. Further information on the Deh Cho Bridge toll can be found at www.tolling.ca.
Strategic investment in public infrastructure is one of the ways the Government of the Northwest Territories is meeting the 17th Legislative Assembly’s priority of strengthening and diversifying our economy.
For further information, please contact
Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation
867-873-7712
867-445-3494 (Cell)
earl_blacklock@gov.nt.ca