A new agreement will help ensure Fort Providence benefits from the Deh Cho Bridge project despite the dissolution of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation.

A barge anchors beside the work bridge and one of the Deh Cho Bridge's piers in late July. The two work bridges will be removed for the final time by mid-April 2011 as work on the bridge progresses. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The corporation was responsible for the bridge prior to the territorial government assuming responsibility and management for the project, and is in the process of closing.

The Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation and the Fort Providence Metis Council are creating a new organization to look after the community's involvement in the project, said Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge.

"We are regrouping and doing our best to keep involved and make sure the bridge is built," he said.

Bonnetrouge expects the group will monitor the project and meet monthly to address any community concerns including effects on the environment, water quality and the local fishery.

The community is receiving financial help from the territorial government to remain a part of the project. In April, the first nation, the Metis council and the territorial government signed the Community Opportunities and Involvement Agreement.

Under the agreement, from July 2010 to March 2012, the community is receiving an $8,000 monthly grant for the purpose of promoting community involvement in the project during construction. Beginning in April 2012 the government will make an annual grant of $200,000 to create community benefits and economic opportunities related to the bridge.

The grant will continue for a 35-year period for a total of $7 million. The plan is to use some of the money to address the general effects of the bridge on the community, including increased traffic and the social impact of having the community open to constant access, Bonnetrouge said.

"That should help lots," he said.

The new agreement, however, doesn't provide as many benefits as the concession agreement did, said Bonnetrouge. The concession agreement, which has been terminated, set out the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation's responsibilities to design, build, operate and maintain the bridge as well as the benefits the community would receive.

The benefits included being the owners of the bridge and receiving a 4.5 per cent return yearly on the equity the corporation had invested in the bridge. Before the agreement ended the equity had reached $1.4 million, which would have resulted in approximately $63,000 a year, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communications with the Department of Transportation.

If bridge revenues were higher than what was needed to meet the responsibilities in the agreement there was also a possibility for enhanced returns, he said.

The community will also miss out on possible additional revenues from the bridge, including using the structure to run power or communication lines across the river, said Bonnetrouge.

Although the new agreement is welcomed, Bonnetrouge said the community leadership and the management of the bridge corporation are disappointed the government had to assume responsibility for the project.

The Deh Cho Bridge is on schedule to open to traffic in November 2011, according to the Department of Transportation.

The work that's being conducted this year and into the next is on schedule, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communications with the department.

Until mid-November bearings are being installed on the piers. Beginning this month steel for the bridge's superstructure will start to arrive.

Once the steel is ready truss members for the north superstructure will be erected and the deck plating will be installed. An A pylon that will hold some of the bridge's cables will also be put into place.

"It will start looking like a bridge on the north side by the end of February," Blacklock said.

The same work will then be done on the south side of the bridge with completion of that stage expected by approximately the end of March 2011, he said.

During this phase of construction more Northern companies and residents are being employed on the project than in the past. Blacklock was unable to say how much of an increase there has been but attributed it to the work that is currently underway.

The work includes plumbing and electrical work by contractors from Hay River.

"There's an expectation whenever possible that local sources will be used for these specialist skills," he said.

Four Northern companies are currently involved in various aspects of the work, including Digga Enterprises Ltd. of Fort Providence which is supplying local workers and equipment.

Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge of Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation said he's pleased about the local business and employment opportunities stemming from the bridge. The opportunities are being maximized, he said.

Northern News Service