FEATURE
Canada has some very unforgiving northern territory
when it comes to moving freight. The weather is brutal
and the infrastructure is a constant challenge with
thawing permafrost, heaving roadbeds and winter ice
roads open fewer weeks than ever. Indeed, just getting cartons
of milk to remote First Nations communities can be a
daunting task. Consider the challenges of getting multi-ton
construction piles, turbine blades or heavy equipment to
sites that are accessible only during winter months along a
network of ice and winter roads that add to the complexity of
construction projects.
To get the job done, Canada has created one of most extensive
winter road systems in the world. Ontario alone has
some 3,100 kilometres of winter roads that are operated by
the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, the Town
of Moosonee as well as a host of First Nations communities.
Last year, the province allocated $5 million to build and operate
the network.
“The 2016 Ontario budget will invest $5.5 million into the
2016-17 winter road network,” said Michael Gravelle, Ontario
Minister of Northern Development and Mines. “This investment,
matched by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada,
links 31 remote First Nation communities to the provincial
highway system. Each winter in Ontario, more than
Pipe arrives at the rail head in Gillam, Man. before being offloaded
to Polar Industries’ trucks for the run to Keewatinohk
PHOTO COURTESY OF POLAR INDUSTRIES
PILING CANADA 29