CN Rail will rebuild the rail bridge over Steen River, AB, that burned down during the Alberta wildfires earlier this spring. The bridge, which links the NWT to southern Canada, will be rebuilt by mid-August. The rail line runs to Hay River with rail cars shipping diesel fuel north.
“This rail bridge is the commercial link for many communities near Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories and CN, Imperial, as well as Suncor are committed to helping communities rebuild after a difficult fire season,” read a CN news release.
The approaches on both ends of the bridge, which spans approximately 360 feet from end to end, will be rebuilt with concrete and steel and the bridge deck of the steel span across the river will be replaced.
Kris Smith, executive vice president, Downstream, Suncor stated that Suncor is very aware of the devastation wildfires can create and are pleased to be able to participate in the Steen River rail bridge reconstruction.
“It’s vital that Canada’s northern communities be able to receive product by rail. We want to help return rail service to the Great Slave Lake area as quickly as possible.”
Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure from the GNWT says that the GNWT is pleased that CN is moving forward with plans to rebuild the Steen River Rail Bridge in Alberta as the Mackenzie Northern Railway is part of a transportation network extending from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
“This network has historically connected Northern resources to southern markets and plays a key role in the transportation of fuel and other essential goods that are forwarded by truck and barge to communities and industries throughout the NWT, and across the Western Arctic.”
