Mr. Speaker, someone once said that the North has two seasons. The first season lasts about nine months and is called the winter season. The second season is very short, lasting only about three months. This short season is called the road construction season.
This road construction season, reconstruction, drainage, surface and grade improvements are proposed across the entire surface-transportation system. This work is already underway to improve our aging infrastructure and maintain a safe and reliable system. In the North our construction season is very short, and to get things done we have to take full advantage of every day we have.
This afternoon, Mr. Speaker, I would like to go over the major projects the Department of Transportation has proposed for this construction season. It is a very ambitious construction plan, and we need the patience and the cooperation of the public to ensure we have a safe and successful construction season.
Mackenzie Highway No. 1 is our vital transportation link to Alberta and part of the core national highway system. One of the major improvements we are undertaking along this route is a new bridge across the Kakisa River. Safer approaches, improved vertical and horizontal alignments and a wider, full-width two-lane bridge deck will improve safety. The structure capacity of this bridge will also be increased to accommodate the very large, heavy loads that travel north on this route.
Mr. Speaker, you will be pleased to hear that construction delays are expected to be minimal, as the traffic will continue travelling on the old bridge while the new bridge is under construction. Work will also continue on grades, drainage and safety improvements on Mackenzie Highway No. 1 route between kilometres 256 and 272. I urge the travelling public to be aware and cautious, as heavy equipment will be on the highway throughout the reconstruction season.
Reconstruction on Ingraham Trail, Highway No. 4, will be focused between kilometres 32 and 35. Widening and roadway improvements such as the installation of guardrails will improve the traffic flow for seasonal residents, recreational users, tourists and heavy industry traffic accessing the mineral-rich Slave geologic province.
Across the entire system rehabilitation work, including culvert replacement and bridge rehabilitation, and chipseal replacement will be ongoing throughout the construction season. The department also hopes to be crushing and stockpiling granular material in preparation for future chipsealing surfacing.
This year the department plans to chipseal over 170 kilometres of highway. This includes the 20 kilometres of Highway No. 2 leading to Hay River, 20 kilometres of Highway No. 5 leading to Fort Smith, and also planned this year is a new chipseal surface for the Hay River Reserve road.
The Liard Highway No. 7 is an important link to B.C. The department will continue to rebuild this highway over the next season between kilometres 14 and 20 south of Fort Liard. The highway generally is structurally weak and vulnerable to damage during the spring thaw. Due to lack of proper drainage, the subgrade becomes saturated during the time of increased rainfall, causing potholes, rutting and muddy sections. As we experienced this spring, the road deteriorated to the point of closure. The continuing reconstruction will help address these critical areas.
In the Mackenzie Delta the department will continue on the Dempster Highway No. 8 with reconstruction and widening between kilometres 34 and 40 and culvert replacements up to kilometre 60. Reconstruction to date has improved roadway geometrics and driving surfaces, contributing to a significant reduction in collisions.
Mr. Speaker, construction of the Deh Cho Bridge is also underway. The department has been working with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and the contractor, Atcon Construction, to ensure that traffic flows through the construction site smoothly and that ferry operations are not disturbed. The general contractor for the construction of the Deh Cho Bridge is scheduled to make progress on four of the eight piers of the bridge structure during this construction season. Ferry passengers will have a front-row seat to watch the bridge progress.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, these are the Department of Transportation's construction season highlights for 2008. If they happen to be driving by these projects this summer, I would remind Members and their constituents to slow down and follow the signs and obey the flag people in the construction zones.
As reinforcement the department is also implementing the necessary regulatory amendments to double the speeding fines within these construction zones. Please help us to protect and maintain the safety of the crews and the contractors working on these important improvements. Remember that we can do our part to drive alive. Mahsi.
