Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Deh Cho Bridge project and that is Premier Handley. I would like to know what cost the GNWT has incurred to date for the Deh Cho Bridge project and why we haven’t seen a final design on the bridge project. Thank you.

Premier Handley.

Return To Question 131-15(3): Update On The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, the GNWT has had minimal costs, in the neighbourhood of $200,000 or $300,000, that we have dedicated ourselves to the bridge project. We have, in addition to that, approved a loan guarantee for the Deh Cho Bridge project of up to $2.5 million over the last government and this current government.

Mr. Speaker, the Member asked two questions and I answered the first one. I will answer the second one, as well. The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation have, to my knowledge, basically finished the design for the bridge and we are waiting for cost estimates from them and expect to have those estimates, based on the design that they have, within two to three weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 131-15(3): Update On The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to know if the Premier is aware of the fact that the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation recently had their submission to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board returned due to a lack of information. Does this cause him, as Minister responsible, any concern? Thank you.

Premier Handley.

Further Return To Question 131-15(3): Update On The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Mr. Speaker, it’s not unusual when proponents make submissions for the environmental review process to have it deemed to be incomplete. The information that was provided by the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, to my knowledge, was incomplete. The environmental review board asked for more information that is being provided. The bridge corporation tells me that the environmental review process is still scheduled to be completed by September. So at this point, I don’t have any concerns that this is going to cause a delay. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 131-15(3): Update On The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Premier aware that the proposed site of the bridge at the current ferry crossing is, in fact, at the foot of the Fort Providence Rapids where the current in the river is at its fastest? Does the Premier know to date there has been no geotechnical work or ice floe studies? What will this do to the cost of the project and does this cause the Premier any concern? Thank you.

Premier Handley.

Further Return To Question 131-15(3): Update On The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge there has been a fair bit of geotechnical work on ice conditions as well as river floe done over the years. Looking at this site for a bridge is not something that’s new to this government or even the last government. In fact, there was a lot of work done in either the 12th or 13th government where a firm was contracted to do some of these studies. We do know that the water is swift at that site and the assessment that that is still the least expensive place for the location of the bridge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 131-15(3): Update On The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier to supply that geotechnical work that supposedly has been done because to my knowledge, it hasn’t been done, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to insist that as a Member of this assembly that I know a final design price, expected tolls, and that I am privy to the financing agreement before the GNWT is committed to the next 35 years. Will the Premier agree to this? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 131-15(3): Update On The Deh Cho Bridge Project

Mr. Speaker, I will check to see what information is available, and whatever I have access to I will certainly be happy to share it with the Member. In terms of commitments on the bridge, we will certainly want to know what the price is before we make a final commitment. We won’t know what that price is until the contract is tendered and we have something firm from the successful bidder. Thank you.