Finlay-Causeway road is funded
April 01, 2009 | Caledonia Courier
Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell announced $600,000 to upgrade the Finlay-Causeway Forest Road between Mackenzie and Fort St. James on Thursday.
The Finlay-Causeway road provides access for approximately 600 people in Germansen Landing, Manson Creek, Fort Ware and Tsay Keh. Fourteen kilometres of the forest road will be treated with calcium chloride, once the road has thawed – likely in June.
“This is a treatment that will control the dust on the road and create a more compact surface,” Bell said. “The treatment is a new road surfacing material.”
The Finlay-Causeway road is the first leg of the proposed connector road between Mackenzie and Fort St. James, Bell said. The proposed route would follow the Finlay-Causeway, Finlay-Philips and Rainbow forest roads.
The Ministry of Forests and Range is providing technical support to the District of Mackenzie on the detailed proposal for the connector project.
The connector would serve as the access road for the proposed Mount Milligan copper-gold mine, which received the first of two major environmental approvals last week.
“The mining project will have immediate access once the mine is approved,” Bell said. “The mine is expected to be a commuter mine. Workers will commute from Fort St. James and Mackenzie to work at the mine. Having a good quality road is integral to the project.”
Mackenzie Mayor Stephanie Killam said the $600,000 upgrade to Finlay-Causeway is the, “next step,” toward development of the connector.
“It just takes us that much closer to our goal,” Killam said. “It opens up the area.”
Mackenzie and Fort St. James will continue to pursue the road, whether Mount Milligan goes ahead or not, she added.
“The road would bring both communities together. In order to survive, we need to work together.”
Killam said she believes the connector would open the area to additional opportunities in forestry and tourism.
The route could provide a circle route for cultural and historical tourists interested in the historic sites in the region, and access for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.
“It’s a big opportunity to tell First Nations stories as well. The Finlay-Causeway road connects to several First Nations communities,” Killam said.
