Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on June 2, 2004, with regard to the effects of the closure of the Fort Good Hope bridge.

1. When will the report of the recent bridge closure in Fort Good Hope be released?

The Department of Transportation, highways division has completed an investigation into the cause of the failure of Jackfish Creek Bridge in Fort Good Hope, which occurred last spring. A bridge failure report and a repair plan is in the final stages of completing awaiting cost estimates from suppliers.

The bridge failure was due to a combination of factors:

• • poor drainage in the retaining walls;
• • poor fill material;
• • bin walls -- retaining walls -- not fully supported and protected;
• • natural settlement at uneven rates;
• • scouring of the base material;
• • ice/water action.

Repairs will be completed once equipment and materials can be brought into the area, which is expected to be January or February of 2005. The equipment and materials for the repairs are not locally available in Fort Good Hope and will arrive after the Mackenzie Valley winter road has opened this winter.

Repairs will entail:

• • welding and bolting support structures on the bin walls;
• • installing proper drainage to the retaining walls;
• • ensuring proper fill along with compaction is completed;
• • providing proper protection around the base of the structure protecting against ice/water action and scour;
• • deck repairs to ensure safe and smooth ride.

The repairs will be carried out under the inspection of a Department of Transportation engineer and will employ local businesses, labour and equipment to the extent possible. The cost of the repairs is estimated at $192,000.

2. How many of these types of bridge are in use in other places in the Northwest Territories? Will the report look at the department's procedure in construction and putting such bridges into place?

The Department of Transportation has done a detailed inspection and review of its inventory of bridges and identified 10 structures that are under similar or near similar conditions as the Jackfish Creek Bridge. There are also three others, which are near enough in conditions to attract our attention. All of these structures will undergo inspections and preventive measures will be taken as necessary to ensure safe and efficient operations. Engineers are modifying the repair plan to deal with each of the structures.

Over the last five years, the Department of Transportation, highways division has introduced a foundation design with steel pilings to facilitate construction and ensure the safety of the structures. This design has formed the basis of the newer structures and will be the basis of a long-term repair plan for older bridges.

3. Will the Minister also release an action plan to address similar situations should they ever arise in other places in the Northwest Territories?

In its action plan to address the issue, the department devised a five-phase model to include:

• • phase one - investigation and inspection;
• • phase two - repair design and engineering;
• • phase three - equipment and material preparation and deployment;
• • phase four - repair; and,
• • phase five - follow-up program.

The department intends to apply this action plan to all its structures in the Northwest Territories. To date it has proceeded to phase two on six structures while the remaining seven structures are at phase one. The department expects to have dealt with all its structures by the summer of 2005.