Wollaston Lake could receive a snow road
Study to look at possibility of it being first step to eventual all-season road
After years of conversations around increasing access to the northern settlement of Wollaston Lake and Hatchet Lake Dene Nation, the Saskatchewan government is considering options for a snow road to the remote community.
Currently, food, fuel and building supplies are transported to the area across Wollaston Lake by barge in the summer and via a 42-kilometre ice road in the winter.
A packed snow road would increase access to the community by one or two months each year, says Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure spokesperson David Horth.
A snow road would be the first phase of a project that would eventually result in an all-season road into the area.
The ministry has tendered a request for proposals for a company to conduct a socio-economic impact study for a road connecting Highway 905 to the community 850 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
The results of the study would go toward making a business case to the federal government for funding, Horth said.
“We’ve been having promising discussions over the past few months with First Nations in the area and with the federal government on a new plan for the Wollaston Lake road. This is something that will take time and commitment from the three partners, but the ultimate goal is eventually to have an all-weather road.”
Construction of the snow road is estimated to cost roughly $16 million and would involve removing rock ridge, clearing a right of way and some grading. It would also include building bridges and culverts along some waterways.
The next phase would be a seasonal road, providing access for about 10 months of the year, followed by an all-season road.
The results of the impact study are scheduled to be presented to stakeholders on June 29. The province doesn’t have a construction timeline for any of the work; Horth was unable to say whether the province has money set aside for the project.
Residents of the community say climate change has had a significant effect on the existing ice road’s year-to-year reliability, which can affect their ability to access crucial resources.
The road is typically open by January or early February and closes near the end of March or early April, but in 2016 — one of the mildest years — it didn’t open until almost March.
Construction of a 102-kilometre all-season road into the community began in 2010, but stalled the next year with only 14 kilometres of roadway laid.