Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government will provide more than $10.7 million over the next two years to build and upgrade water-crossing infrastructure across the winter roads network in the North.
Funding will be delivered through the Winter Roads Program – Bridges and Culverts Stream and is intended to improve safety and extend the operating season for winter roads that serve remote and Indigenous communities.
“In remote northern communities, a reliable winter transportation network is key to boosting economic growth and connecting residents to the goods and services they need,” said MP George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Building a reliable winter roads network in the North is one more way our government is supporting stronger, more resilient and self-reliant communities.”
The program supports construction of water-crossing infrastructure such as modular bridges and culverts, helping improve safety and reliability across the winter road system. The roads provide vital links for residents in remote northern communities, allowing access to food, fuel, health care and other essential services.
Funding includes:
- $4.1 million will go to Wawakapewin First Nation to complete designs and install four modular bridges at water crossings on the winter road connecting Kasabonika Lake First Nation and Wawakapewin First Nation.
- $3.2 million will go to the Windigo First Nations Council to install two modular bridges at the Meen River and Dobie River crossings on the Cat Lake–Pickle Lake winter road network.
- $2.9 million will go to the Matawa First Nations Management for upgrades to the Matawa 808 winter road network, including installing two bridges on winter roads serving Eabametoong First Nation and Nibinamik First Nation, as well as technical studies for future bridge installations on winter roads serving Webequie, Nibinamik and Eabametoong.
- $307,857 will go to Neskantaga First Nation to install 15 cross-drainage culverts along the Otoskwin River Road to reduce flooding and improve access to the Otoskwin River crossing site.
- $250,000 will go to the Windigo First Nations Council to complete engineering and geotechnical work for future water-crossing infrastructure on the Four First Nations Group winter road network.
This funding is in addition to $8 million the province has provided through the Winter Roads Program to help 32 remote First Nation communities and the Moosonee build and operate approximately 3,200 kilometres of temporary winter roads.
“Improving the safety and reliability of winter roads, especially spanning the far North, remains essential to supporting First Nations communities,” said Greg Rickford. “Our government’s investments throughout the North are strengthening community connections, improving safety and ensuring local communities are best positioned to lead regional development.”
Ontario’s winter roads network is about 3,200 kilometres long — the largest in Canada — serving approximately 24,000 people in 32 remote Indigenous communities and Moosonee. The roads typically operate for six to 11 weeks each year, from late January until the end of March.
Russell Wesley, chief of Cat Lake First Nation, said upgrading water crossings will reduce risks associated with ice bridges.
“The Meen River and Dobie River ice crossings posed significant safety risks to contractors, community members and other road users — risks that have been intensifying each year because of climate change,” Wesley said. “Thanks to this funding program, Cat Lake First Nation was able to upgrade these water crossings, effectively addressing the dangers associated with unreliable ice bridges and improving overall safety for all road users.”
