Warm weather slows winter road construction

While work is underway on many sections of the winter roads, those efforts are being hampered by warm weather.
“It has been warm and that doesn’t help us,” said Wawakapewin winter roads foreman Roger Cook.
“Some of the creeks we cross aren’t frozen yet. We’re packing them.”
In order for the roads to open, four separate creek crossings must be built, he said.
Cook was in Thunder Bay Jan. 13 getting training on new equipment the First Nation purchased for the construction season.
“Our old groomer broke down, so we needed a new one,” he said.
To maintain its winter airstrip, the community also purchased a Land Tamer eight-wheel and tracked all-terrain vehicle equipped with a snowblower.
Cook and winter road builder Russell Brown were to drive the equipment home from Pickle Lake Jan. 15.
Wawakapewin is responsible for about 90 kilometres of ice roads that connects to Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.
Winter road construction is also underway in Wunnumin Lake.
People have been able to drive out about 40 kilometres on the road but could not yet reach Kingfisher Lake.
“We made it to the junction with a groomer but it needs to be packed,” said Wunnumin Lake’s Wayne McKoop.
“The snow is soft from the warm weather. The road isn’t open yet, but we’re hoping it will be soon.”
The construction of the James Bay Winter Road is underway.
Depending on weather, the road is expected to open to light traffic around Jan. 20 and to heavy traffic the first week of February according to the website for James Bay Winter Road, which is operated by Kimesskanemenow Corporation.
“The weather is holding us up,” said Clarence Okimaw, roads superintendent for Attawapiskat.
“We reached the 22 inches of ice we need for the dozers (after several rounds of flooding).”
The James Bay road connects Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Kashechewan to Moosonee.