N.W.T. to launch Deh Cho Bridge campaign

Northwest Territories Transportation Minister Michael McLeodhopes a new marketing campaign about the controversialDeh Cho Bridge will generate some good news.

Much of the talk about the $182-million bridge over the Mackenzie River has focused on the project's problems, from its escalating costs to technical and management problems that have delayed construction.

Earlier this year, the territorial government assumed full responsibility for the bridge project, including $165 million in debt, from the Deh Cho Bridge Corp., which was going to operate the bridge once it was completed.

As well, the government parted ways with Atcon Construction, which was the project's main contractor. It has since hired Ruskin Construction to complete work on the bridge, located at Fort Providence, N.W.T.

Speaking in the legislative assembly on Thursday, McLeod said the government will spend money to sell northerners on the bridge, which he believes will be finished in 18 months.

"I'm certain in the future the news surrounding the bridge will be more favourable, particularly as we approach the completion of construction," McLeod said.

The Transportation Department is developing a communications plan that will include a new website, signage, and a "real-time video feed," McLeod said.

"Our intent is to highlight all of the positive accomplishments associated with the bridge," he said.

But Yellowknife Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay suggested that McLeod should be honest about some of the bridge project's negative aspects, such as its $182-million price tag.

Ramsay also said that cabinet members must stop blaming the previous government for the bridge's problems, instead taking responsibility for its own decisions.

As examples, Ramsay cited "sole-sourcing the rest of the work to Ruskin and the decision to continually turn a blind eye to the mismanagement of the project whether it was claims, poor concrete, scour rock that, by all accounts, was not up to spec, lawsuits, contractors not being paid, the general contractor being fired, design issues, and eventually the lockdown of the construction account".

"The alarm bells should have been ringing for the minister and cabinet a long time ago," he added.

A technical audit of the bridge is expected to be completed in a couple of weeks. Federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser is also conducting an audit of the project.