December 16, 2002

CROSS LAKE--The next phase in providing all-weather access to the northern community of Cross Lake is now underway, Transportation and Government Services Minister Scott Smith has announced.

"The construction and upgrading of infrastructure is important for the economic growth of all communities throughout the province, including those in the North," said Smith. "We will continue to carry out transportation improvements in co-operation with federal and municipal governments and First Nations communities."

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin, Conservation Minister Steve Ashton and Energy, Science and Technology Minister Tim Sale today attended Cross Lake community celebrations for the project which includes building the new Netnak Bridge on PR 374 across Pipestone Lake, part of the Nelson River system.

The estimated $25 million construction project will replace the existing seasonal ferry service and temporary winter ice road access to Cross Lake. The clearing and preparation required for six kilometres of road right-of-way to the site is now in progress. The new bridge site is one km downstream from the ferry operation.

"Transportation improvements are important to economic development and growth in Manitoba’s northern communities," said Lathlin. "Our northern development strategy highlights the need to support a significant investment in infrastructure that will benefit the more remote communities in this province, including employment and training opportunities."

Lathlin noted that, since 1999, the provincial government has spent more than $130 million on northern infrastructure.

To support the project, a heavy equipment operator training course was held in Cross Lake to train 14 local residents for possible employment. Students received safety training, classroom instruction and site training to learn to operate loaders, backhoes and graders. All community roads were graded and basements were excavated as practical exercises in the program. The carpentry training portion of the program will be completed shortly.

The training was provided through a partnership between the First Nation, Education, Training and Youth, Transportation and Government Services, and the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association.

The site survey, a detailed environmental assessment on the proposed route, and geotechnical and hydraulic studies for the proposed structure and its associated roadwork were completed by Earth Tech (Canada) Inc. The required environmental licence for the project has been received and the detailed bridge design is completed.

Tenders for the contract are expected to commence early in 2003 with actual construction of the bridge is scheduled for completion in late 2004. Cross Lake is approximately 750 km north of Winnipeg.

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