Winter Road Network Connects The Far North

February 26, 2009 – 033

McGuinty Government Investment Links Remote Communities

NEWS

Ontario is helping build a network of more than 3,000 kilometres of winter roads through Ontario’s Far North forests, and over frozen rivers and lakes.The province is supporting the construction of the annual road system which, for a few months of each year, connects otherwise isolated Far North First Nation communities to the Ontario road system.

Winter roads are an economical way to move people, goods and equipment into and between Northern Ontario’s remote First Nations that are limited to air transportation access during the rest of the year. They also help bring down travel and transportation costs for residents and local business activities.

QUOTES

“Maintaining the long term integrity of our winter road system is becoming increasingly important. That’s why we are also supporting a number of activities to eventually realign the current winter road system away from dangerous bodies of water and on safer ground,” said Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle.

“Safe and reliable winter roads represent a critical link for our First Nation communities in the Far North. These few months of winter road access can have a major impact on the quality of life in a community throughout the year,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid.

QUICK FACTS

> This winter, 29 road projects are being undertaken as part of five distinct systems, linking the 31 remote First Nation communities in Ontario’s Far North. Inquiries on the status of individual road systems should be directed at the appropriate First Nation communities.

> The province is investing $4 million in the construction of the winter road system this year, and has invested $18 million in construction and maintenance costs on the network since 2004-05.

> In addition to this annual investment, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) has funded four winter road realignment projects in recent years, in partnership with First Nation communities and the federal government.

LEARN MORE

> View a map of the 2009 winter road system.

> About Ontario’s Northern Highways Program

Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister’s Office, 416-327-0655
Tom Marcolini, MNDM, 705-945-5836

ontario.ca/north-news

Backgrounder

Winter Road Network Comes To Life In Far North

Following is a list of projects funded under the 2008-2009 Winter Roads Program:

Asheweig Winter Road Corporation – $ 360,100 for a 262-kilometre winter road network connecting the communities of Wawakapewin and Wunnumin Lake to the Pickle Lake North all-season road.

Bearskin Lake First Nation – $121,900 for a 106-kilometre winter road running northeasterly from Muskrat Dam to the community.

Cat Lake First Nation – $201,250 for a 175-kilometre winter road running from Pickle Lake to the First Nation.

Deer Lake First Nation – $110,775 for an 88-kilometre winter road running west from North Spirit Lake.

Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope) – $110,400 for a 96-kilometre winter road linking the community to the main connecting winter road.

Fort Severn First Nation – $269,100 for a 234-kilometre winter road connecting the community to the Ontario border near Shammattawa, Manitoba.

Kasabonika First Nation – $110,400 for a 96-kilometre winter road linking the community to the main connecting winter road.

Keewaywin First Nation – $105,800 for a 92-kilometre winter road beginning at Magiss Lake and stretching to the community at the east end of Sandy Lake.

Kimesskanamenow Corporation – $466,175 for a 320-kilometre winter road connecting Moosonee to Attawapiskat via Fort Albany and Kashechewan.

Kingfisher Lake First Nation – $35,650 for a 31-kilometre winter road running from the community to the main connecting winter road.

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI/Big Trout Lake) – $103,500 for a 90-kilometre winter road connecting to the Bearskin Lake winter road.

Koocheching First Nation – $21,600 for a 12-kilometre winter road to connect with the Keewaywin road.

Matawa First Nations Management – $279,450 for a 243-kilometre network of winter roads linking Nibinamik (Summer Beaver) and Marten Falls to the all-season road system.

Moose Cree First Nation – $25,200 for an eight-kilometre winter ice road connecting to Moosonee.

Town of Moosonee – $18,300 for two ramps required to link the town road system to the ice road to Moose Factory Island.

Muskrat Dam First Nation – $180,900 for a 108-kilometre winter connector road from Muskrat Dam to Round Lake.

Neskantaga First Nation – $307,625 for a 165-kilometre (115-kilometre main link and a 50-kilometre connector) winter road connecting the community to the Pickle Lake North all-season road.

North Caribou Lake First Nation – $98,825 for a 59-kilometre winter road connecting the end of the Pickle Lake North all-season road to the Round Lake junction of Muskrat Dam road.

North Spirit Lake First Nation – $192,625 for a 116-kilometre winter road linking to the all-season Nungessor Road.

North West Angle #37 First Nation – $ 56,250 for a 75-kilometre winter road linking Windigo Island to Kenora.

Pikangikum First Nation – $51,975 for a 33-kilometre winter road linking to the Nungessor all-season road.

Poplar Hill First Nation – $56,350 for a 49-kilometre winter road to connect the community to Pikangikum.

Sachigo Lake First Nation – $80,500 for a 70-kilometre winter road running northwesterly from Muskrat Dam to the community.

Sandy Lake First Nation – $126,500 for a 110-kilometre winter road connecting to the Deer Lake road at Duckling Lake.

Temagami First Nation – $13,800 for a 12-kilometre winter road from Temagami Access Road to Bear Island.

Wapekeka First Nation – $36,800 for a 32-kilometre winter road connecting the community to the main connecting winter road.

Webequie First Nation – $126,500 for a 110-kilometre winter road between Neskantaga and Webequie.

Weenusk First Nation – $230,000 for a 200-kilometre winter road linking Peawanuck to Fort Severn.

Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister’s Office, 416-327-0655
Tom Marcolini, MNDM, 705-945-5836