A New Bridge over the Clyde River: Capacity Building Taken to Another Level by Qikiqtaaluk Logistics
Clyde River Nunavut – July 22nd, 2009
Qikiqtaaluk Logistics Inc. (QL) is proud to announce that they have completed on July 18th the construction of a bridge across the Clyde River that provides a year-round access to local hunting grounds for the residents of the community in an unprecedented project.
QL was awarded the remediation project at Cape Christian, Nunavut in 2008. As part of the consultations with the community prior to preparing QL’s tender for this project, the residents of the community of Clyde River requested that QL construct a permanent bridge that would allow the inhabitants of this vibrant and expanding hamlet year round access to hunting grounds. QL listened to the request of the inhabitants of Clyde River and invested their own funds into the installation of the bridge outside of their tender for this project.
Mr. Harry Flaherty, Director of Projects for QL, said that “QL took the unparalleled step of assuming all of the costs related to the construction of a permanent structure that will benefit the entire community for many years to come.” The entire cost of this half million dollar project was assumed by QL. This includes the permitting process, that took over 10 months and many hours of work to complete, the design and purchase of the bridge structure that was brought to Clyde River via sealift last fall and the installation of the bridge structure. “QL wanted to leave something from this project that would benefit all of the residents of the Hamlet without leaving them with a financial burden that they would not be able to support,” added Mr. Flaherty.
Over a 10 day period the bridge was installed using labour that was almost entirely from the Hamlet of Clyde River. Mr. Flaherty also said “As a wholly owned subsidiary of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC), QL wanted to continue QC’s mandate of capacity building with the communities where we operate. Construction of this bridge gives easier access to the Davis Strait. This new access will save the residents of the community both the time and expense of having to travel around Cape Christian to access these important hunting grounds for the community.”
Work still remains to upgrade the 8 km access road between the bridge and the Cape Christian site. This road will also be left in place at the end of the project so it can be used by the residents to access their cabins and hunting grounds. QL hopes to have this work completed by the end of the summer. At the end of the project all of the permits for the road and the bridge will be turned over to the community giving them ownership and control of the bridge and the road for the remainder of its lifetime.
For more information, contact Harry Flaherty at 867-979-8400
