(Microphone turned off)
---Laughter HON. JOHN TODD: We will also build the one to Edmonton. Mr. Chairman, with respect to the upgrading of the Dempster, as Mr. Koe has talked about, there is additional maintenance money into the maintenance of that highway and we are doing the best job possible given the resources we have. It is recognized as important and there is some additional maintenance money already allocated.
Regarding the Peel River crossing, there has been some work done looking at the possibility of a bridge there, but the initial engineering studies and consultants indicate that it is a $20 million exercise. That is a great deal of money, no matter how you look at it. We could probably go back to that issue, but with those kind of numbers, even though it is 15 or 20 per cent off, you are still talking about $10 million to $15 million. Again, the reality is we have $20 million to do all these projects and it makes it a little out of reach with respect to that particular issue.
Looking at the possibility of an alternative small airstrip at Arctic Red, particularly during breakup, no work has been done on that issue. I will undertake, if Mr. Koe wants me to, to review it and look at the possibility of costing out the difference between what it would cost for an airstrip and a bridge. I will undertake that right away. I am told by Mr. Gamble if we did have the capacity to put in a bridge to Arctic Red, it would also give us access to the Fort McPherson airport. That may be the kind of alternative we can look at.
However, for the Peel River crossing, we are looking at a huge chunk of change. I suggest to you at this time, given the limitations, that is unrealistic.