Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am looking for further clarification on the questions I asked the Minister of Transportation earlier today. My first question trying to seek clarity is: is the Department of Transportation now asking the federal government to approve projects in the second bundle project by project as opposed to the whole bundle? Thank you.
Minister of Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is the Hay River/Pine Point Bridge was submitted to Infrastructure Canada on May 27th as part of the bridge rehabilitation project. This particular project we expect to have approved by mid-June or end of June. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the intention is to rehab the bridge, extend the life for 35 years. Bridges are usually amortized over 75 years. I would like to ask the Minister if it was just too cost-prohibitive to replace the bridge. That is why we are going with rehabilitation.
The consultants provided various options and life cycle costs of these assets. Their recommendation was to go with the rehabilitation option for the 35 years.
Mr. Speaker, we are asked to pay 25 cent dollars on the Building Canada Plan. It is an opportunity that we may not see again, especially not on that bridge or those bridges, in any event, or any part of those projects I suppose. An opportunity to pay only 25 per cent of the capital cost of a project like this, the department goes to a consultant, the consultant indicates that it would be better to rehab the bridge and extend the life for 35 years as opposed to putting a new one in for 75 years. Again, my question is: was that decision made because it was too cost prohibitive to replace the bridge and that we did not have enough money to do it?
I would have to look into that question, if that was the reason for that. One thing I can tell the Assembly is that the cost of repairing and keeping the upkeep on the road system in the Northwest Territories is significant, and we have challenges with that on a daily basis. There is only so much infrastructure money to go around for the whole Northwest Territories and transportation has a serious need of upkeep on some of the infrastructure needs. I can look into what the Member is asking and get back to him on it.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if I can get that information before session is completed this time. I am referring to the whole session at the end of June. Thank you.
I will look into getting that back to the Member for end of session.
