Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to provide Members with an update on the Deh Cho Bridge.
Mr. Speaker, in the past six months two major reports have been released: The Levelton Report and the Auditor General’s report. The Levelton Report was a review of the Deh Cho Bridge phase 1 substructure design and construction. The report confirms that once work to address some minor deficiencies is complete, the phase 1 works are structurally sound. The Department of Transportation has developed an action plan that is addressing all of the issues identified in the report.
The Auditor General’s report has made a number of recommendations, which we have accepted, and provided overall assurance and comfort that the bridge is safe and is being built to the required standards.
Currently, the contractor is working on the south side of the river. Steel truss sections continue to arrive on site and their assembly is ongoing. Once the river is free of ice, the contractor will reinstall the south side work-bridge and temporary bents or supports. The contractor will then launch the truss on the south side and install the towers and cables to support the centre span.
Mr. Speaker, as I reported in the last sitting of the Legislative Assembly, the contractor has expressed uncertainty about the completion date because critical bridge steel components arrived late. At the time, the impact on the construction schedule was unclear, but there was an expectation that the contractor could make up the lost time. It was also
indicated that the schedule is a contractor responsibility and that additional information would be available in the spring, once more information was known about the progress achieved during the winter. We continue to emphasize that safety and quality are of utmost importance as this work proceeds.
Mr. Speaker, the contractor has indicated that completion could be delayed. Information provided by the contractor indicates that the superstructure trusses, towers and cables were not completed during the past winter because of the late arrival of steel. As a result, certain weather-sensitive construction activities, such as paving, constructing concrete curbs and grouting of deck panels, are unlikely to begin before winter. Our environment is not one that is conducive to conducting these construction activities in the winter.
Mr. Speaker, we’re asking the contractor to provide us with a revised schedule that takes into account fully the events to date and to substantiate the reasons. We will examine this closely to determine what steps to take next. Our primary concern is that the bridge is built safely and to the highest standards so that it can perform as expected during its 75-year design life without unnecessary added maintenance.
Mr. Speaker, the precise impact of a possible delay on the total capital cost of the project cannot be determined at this time. The scope of work will not change significantly, however, so we are not anticipating there will be any additional capital costs to complete construction.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT’s focus is on completing the Deh Cho Bridge without compromising either quality or safety. It is well-designed and will meet or exceed Canada’s National Bridge Code in all respects throughout the 75-year design life. It will be a vital link that will benefit NWT residents for many years to come.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
