A ceremony marked the official opening of the KatlSA国际影视传媒檕deh Bridge on Aug. 4.

Located on Highway 5, east of Hay River and south of the Hay River Dene Reserve, the bridge spans the Hay River. It opened to traffic in November 2019 and was completed in October 2020, replacing the former Hay River to Pine Point Bridge.

However, because of COVID-19 public health restrictions, an official opening ceremony involving large gatherings could not be held until this month.

Several dignitaries marked the official opening with ceremonial drumming and a ribbon cutting. The Government of the Northwest Territories and KatlSA国际影视传媒檕deechee First Nation jointly hosted the event.

The new bridge is 10 metres wide SA国际影视传媒� exceeding the measurement of the older bridge, which was 7.2 metres in width. It has an open deck and is designed to withstand heavier vehicles, according to the Department of Infrastructure.

Diane Archie, minister of Infrastructure, said in a statement that the bridge aims to meet traffic demand over the coming decades and adds to the continued development of the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 transportation system.

SA国际影视传媒淎s our territory evolves, our infrastructure must meet not only the current needs of our citizens but also the needs of future generations,SA国际影视传媒� Archie said. SA国际影视传媒淭he KatlSA国际影视传媒檕deh bridge is expected to last longer than 75 years.SA国际影视传媒�

The money to complete the bridge came from a $14-million budget that entails a 75-to-25 per cent cost-sharing agreement between Infrastructure CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Small Communities Fund and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The project was part of an overall $60-million investment by the Government of Canada for 13 projects in the NWT in 2016.

Michael McLeod, member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, said the money shows that his government supports NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 transportation needs, including roads and bridges.

SA国际影视传媒淚 am pleased to celebrate the completion of the KatlSA国际影视传媒檕deh Bridge,SA国际影视传媒� McLeod said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur government recognizes the importance of improving infrastructure in the NWT to make transportation better, safer and more reliable in both communities and highway systems.SA国际影视传媒�

KFN Chief April Martel said the opening of the bridge was important for Dene people in the area and noted the importance of using the traditional Dene Yati word KatlSA国际影视传媒檕deh, which means SA国际影视传媒渨illow grass river.SA国际影视传媒�

Other dignitaries present at WednesdaySA国际影视传媒檚 opening included Deh Cho MLA Ronald Bonnetrouge and Hay River South MLA Rocky Simpson.