With the Hay River Pine Point Bridge currently undergoing rehabilitation, traffic in the area is being detoured on the nearby CN Bridge until the Pine Point Bridge reopens.
The updated bridge will be able to handle heavier vehicles, making it easier to transport goods and deliver services in the community. The construction is expected to be completed by fall 2019 and will create between 15 and 20 new, good-quality jobs.
NWT Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Wally Schumann stated in January that investments in infrastructure are critical to growing and diversifying the NWT economy.
“This includes transportation infrastructure like the Pine Point Bridge that connects our territories to markets and our people to opportunities.”
Michael McLeod, MP for the NWT says the Hay River to Pine Point Bridge rehabilitation project will support transportation of goods and delivery of services in the area.
“The project will lead to a better quality of life for the community.”
The Pine Point bridge near #HayRiver is undergoing rehabilitation until October 2019. Crews have begun removing concrete from the deck and floor systems. A reminder to drivers that traffic is being detoured through a nearby detour bridge. #NWThwy5 pic.twitter.com/d2Z1IGXH54
— GNWT/GTNO Infrastructure (@GNWT_INF) February 15, 2019
The following restrictions are currently applied during the rehabilitation:
- Single lane traffic only.
- No pedestrian traffic will be allowed on the detour bridge or in the construction zone.
- Width restriction of 4.5 meters. Permit applications for over-dimensioned and overweight loads will be assessed on a case by case basis, but no loads wider than 4.5 metres will be permitted.
- Speed restriction of 15 km/h; double fines will be applied.
- Traffic delays lasting up to 15 minutes.
The Government of Canada invested 75 percent of funding for the Hay River to Pine Point Bridge and the Government of the Northwest Territories contributed the remaining for a total project cost of $14.7 million.
