Funding announced for this season’s winter roads network
Tim Brody - Editor
The Government of Ontario is investing over $5.8 million into this season’s winter roads network, which will be used by 31 First Nations and the Town of Moosonee to build and maintain 3,160 kilometres of temporary winter roads.
The announcement was made by Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, on Dec. 20.
“The winter roads network is an economic lifeline for our Far North communities,” he said in a news release. “These temporary snow and ice roads provide vital connections to all-season roads that bring in essential services and goods such as food, medical and construction supplies.”
“Winter roads also offer more affordable transportation options for the mining industry, a key contributor to the northern economy. Weather permitting, the winter roads network is open from about mid-January until the spring thaw,” the news releases stated, adding, “Connecting northern communities is part of the government's plan to build Ontario together. Ontario's balanced and prudent plan is creating more jobs and opportunities in the north and keeping more money in people's pockets.”
This season’s funding recipients are:
Community / Funding Recipient ,Investment,Project
Amimakee Wa Zhing #37 (Northwest Angle #37),$75,196,Winter road from Windigo Island to Kenora
Bearskin Lake,$162,249,Winter road running northeast from Muskrat Dam to the community
Cat Lake,$269,395,Winter road running from Pickle Lake to the community
Deer Lake,$134,697,Winter road running west from North Spirit Lake
Eabametoong (Fort Hope),$168,372,Winter road from the community to Kabina Staging Grounds
Fort Severn,$358,173,Winter road from the community to the Ontario border near Shamattawa, Manitoba
Kasabonika Lake,$79,594,Winter road from the community to Wawakapewin
Keewaywin,$185,209,Winter road from the community to the eastern shore of Weagamow Lake
Kimesskanamenow LP*,$572,274,Winter road from Moosonee to Attawapiskat via Fort Albany and Kashechewan
Kingfisher Lake,$282,558,Winter road from Kingfisher Lake to North Road Junction (Hwy 599)
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI),$186,739,Winter road from the community to Kingfisher Lake
Marten Falls,$314,291,Winter road from the community to Nakina
Moose Cree,$370,346,Winter road connecting Otter Rapids to Moose Factory and from Moose Factory to Moosonee
Town of Moosonee,$22,875,Two ramps required for the winter road to Moose Factory
Muskrat Dam,$162,286,Winter road from the community to Weagamow Lake
Neskantaga,$593,299,Winter road from Pickle Lake North Road to Neskantaga
Nibinamik,$157,657,Winter road from the community to Common Road
North Caribou Lake,$122,755,Winter road from Windigo Lake to the community and from the community to the west shore of Weagamow Lake
North Spirit Lake,$239,269,Winter road from the community to the all-season Nungessor Road
Northwest Angle #33,$18,917,Winter road from the community to Northwest Angle #37
Pikangikum,$50,511,Winter road from the community to the all-season Nungessor Road
Poplar Hill,$75,002,Winter road from the community to Pikangikum
Sachigo Lake,$107,145,Winter road running northeast from Muskrat Dam to the community
Sandy Lake,$168,372,Winter road connecting with the Deer Lake Winter Road System and connecting to Keewaywin Road
Temagami,$18,367,Winter road from Temagami Access Road to Bear Island
Wapekeka,$48,980,Winter road from the community to Big Trout Lake Connection
Wawakapewin,$189,838,Winter road from the community to Highway 599
Webequie,$168,372,Winter road from the community to the Nibinamik-Webequie junction
Weenusk,$306,131,Winter road from the community to Fort Severn
Wunnumin Lake,$91,839,Winter road from the Assine Lake turn-off to Wunnumin Lake
* Serves all three communities of Attawapiskat via Fort Albany and Kashechewan
