Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, I talked about ferry operation and the problems that were happening in Fort Simpson. I have to commend the Department of Infrastructure again and their staff from Fort Simpson. They have been able to get the ferry operating from 9:00 to 6:00, and I greatly appreciate that. However, with water levels, that is a big concern. Has the department done any analysis of possible solutions to alleviate this type of problem in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Member. Yes, we have worked with industry to extend the hours there, in Simpson, for an extra couple of hours during the summer. I think that has worked out great.
The department is always looking at ways to improve partnership and innovation or efficiencies on our ferries. These are challenging times these days, with the climate change and water levels that are happening.
The department has this coming capital plan on his specific ferry for his region. In the capital acquisition plan that was tabled earlier in this session, we are going to have new engines there that are going to increase the horsepower and lower fuel consumption on that ferry.
We are continuing to monitor the water levels on a regular basis. We continue to communicate with the communities, all communities, residents in the Northwest Territories, and the travelling public as early as possible to get the message out there of these conditions changing on a daily basis.
The Liard ferry normally closes on November 3rd, and I think, with the adjustments that we have made and operate on a daylight hours, we are going to continue to operate as long as possible. It's looking very positive that we might meet that same date.
I greatly appreciate that answer from the Minister. Yes, they are doing some really good work, trying to get the ferry operational and extending as possible.
In my previous conversations with the Minister, I spoke about the idea of moving the ferry landing to the Enbridge road and having the other landing relocated to the town dock. Has the Minister and the department looked at this option and have they done a cost analysis?
Yes, we have done some preliminary investigation regarding the potential alternate landing site that the Member is talking about. It could extend the ferry service up to a month, depending on the weather and the water levels. There are some challenges still with this option. I think we have talked about this in the House before.
The ferry crossing would be 11 kilometres along the Mackenzie Valley River and take an hour-and-a-half compared to the seven-minute crossing at the present site, where it's located right now, on the Liard River.
Of course, with that, if we are going to do 11-kilometre and a one-and-a-half-hour ferry ride, there are additional costs of operating these things. The initial number that I have, looking at doing this, the preliminary cost would be a $16-million ask to do that, not counting ongoing operational costs. That would be more for the longer ferry service and the additional maintenance of the highway.
I thank the Minister for that answer. I appreciate the department looking at that.
In our other conversations, we also talked about moving the landing upstream, which is, you know, a kilometre up, which would access deeper water and ensure better service to the residents from Fort Simpson. Has the Minister and the department looked at this option and done a cost analysis, as well?
Yes, we have looked at this option, as well. The ferry most often shuts down during this season, like at the end of the year, I guess, is what I'm trying to say. It's due to heavy ice flow or low water. It's usually heavy ice flow. Moving it up river I don't think is going to be able to extend the season. It's not likely.
We also did a preliminary cost structure on this, too, and that is going to cost an extra $3.2 million if we were to look at that option. The other thing that we would have look at if we actually did that option would be land acquisition, land use permits, potential water licensing, and landing construction. Moving it upstream, I think, for something that would benefit the mid-season is not really a benefit. I don't think that would be a viable option, as well.
I thank the Minister for that answer. It actually comes down to the million-dollar question: has the department looked at actually building a bridge across the Liard River? We are talking about Mackenzie Valley Highway. We are doing a bridge up at the Great Bear River. Has the department looked at building a bridge or a floating bridge, similar to what there is in BC, using the two islands in the river? Have they done a cost analysis of that?
A bridge could possibly be a priority across the Liard River, but not at this point. As all Members know, we are pushing the envelope here on infrastructure funding to try to complete the Mackenzie Valley Highway. I believe that is our priority right now. Based on our mandate, that is what we are working on.
There would be some challenges, though, with having a floating bridge, I think, because of the fluctuation of the water that we see, particularly on the Liard because it is tied to the BC mountains. We can certainly have a look at that sometime, but, right now, that is not a priority of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
