Wawatay reports: Mild winter delays construction of roads across northern rivers
January 8, 2006 - 8:27am | by Anonymous
From Wawatay Online - Thursday, January 5, 2006 - submitted by Joyce Hunter
Mild winter delays winter road openings
This year’s mild winter has delayed the opening of winter roads that northern communities have come to rely on for transporting their goods and services.
Thus far, only one winter road, the one connecting Bearskin Lake, Muskrat Dam, Sachigo Lake and Weagamow to Pickle Lake is open. It has only been open for one week.
The winter road connecting Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany to Moosonee will be open to light traffic on Jan. 15 and then to heavier traffic (commercial users) at the end of the month, said winter road manager Gilbert Etherington. “The weather has been a factor in delaying the start of this year’s winter road season,” he said. “We are about 10 days behind last year’s opening because of it.”
Another winter road connecting Kitchenuhmaykoosib, Kingfisher Lake and Wunnumin Lake with Pickle Lake is in the process of being groomed for an opening. However, winter road managers working on the passage say more cold weather is required before grooming is completed and the passageway deemed fit for travel.
The long spell of mild weather has prevented the opening of a fourth winter road connecting Pickle Lake to Fort Hope, Summer Beaver, Lansdowne House and Webequie.
The passageway connecting North Spirit Lake and Deer Lake to Red Lake has not been opened yet – road construction workers are not convinced the Barrens Lake is safe to cross. -JH
Mild winter delays winter road openings
This year’s mild winter has delayed the opening of winter roads that northern communities have come to rely on for transporting their goods and services.
Thus far, only one winter road, the one connecting Bearskin Lake, Muskrat Dam, Sachigo Lake and Weagamow to Pickle Lake is open. It has only been open for one week.
The winter road connecting Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany to Moosonee will be open to light traffic on Jan. 15 and then to heavier traffic (commercial users) at the end of the month, said winter road manager Gilbert Etherington. “The weather has been a factor in delaying the start of this year’s winter road season,” he said. “We are about 10 days behind last year’s opening because of it.”
Another winter road connecting Kitchenuhmaykoosib, Kingfisher Lake and Wunnumin Lake with Pickle Lake is in the process of being groomed for an opening. However, winter road managers working on the passage say more cold weather is required before grooming is completed and the passageway deemed fit for travel.
The long spell of mild weather has prevented the opening of a fourth winter road connecting Pickle Lake to Fort Hope, Summer Beaver, Lansdowne House and Webequie.
The passageway connecting North Spirit Lake and Deer Lake to Red Lake has not been opened yet – road construction workers are not convinced the Barrens Lake is safe to cross. -JH
2006.01.05