Redknife River Bridge now allows for flow of traffic and fish

A reconstructed bridge over Redknife River is now open to traffic, the territorial government’s Department of Infrastructure announced on Wednesday.

The bridge is located about 180 kilometres southeast of Fort Simpson on Highway 1.

A statement provided by the department said the bridge replaces three culverts constructed in 1971.

“While the culverts remained structurally sound, erosion of the riverbed and changes in water levels created conditions that seasonally prevented fish from passing upstream,” the statement said.

The new bridge is designed to accommodate changing water levels, the department added.

In an interview after this article was first published, Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said the updated bridge represents a lot more to Dene people than just a new piece of infrastructure.

Norwegian said the Redknife River is a sacred site and shared a story of a special gathering held generations ago where one person foresaw settlers coming to the area.

“They knew that the world was changing and the land was changing, and then they sensed that something else was going to change,” said Grand Chief Norwegian, recounting the story.

“[The vision] was about preparing people, getting people used to the whole thing that something is going to come their way, and that they need to be on guard and they need to continue to stand with the land and the water and make sure everything remains in harmony.”

He said the new infrastructure will allow for the flow of water and migratory fish.

“We’re honoured that it’s being brought back to its natural state,” said Norwegian.

The territory’s Gahcho Kué diamond mine contributed $9.5 million to the project as a form of compensation for fish habitat loss around the mine, a requirement of its Fisheries Act authorization.

Traffic on the bridge will initially be limited to one lane while finishing work is completed at the site, the infrastructure department said.