A winter road is fine for a start but eventually an all weather access road will be required into the Ring of Fire. Manitoba has an extensive system of winter roads into remote First Nation communities on the east side of the province. These roads are normally only open for 4 weeks each winter. This year it will be less. The short duration is because of bog and muskeg which takes a long time to freeze. Eastern Manitoba is right next door to Northwestern Ontario so I am picturing the land being very similar. The weather conditions are the same as well.

I was wondering about the cost of a road. Manitoba Hydro is currently building the Wuskwatim Generating Station in northern Manitoba, close to Thompson. The all access road cost is $39.4 million for 48 kilometres. So, approximately $820,000 per km. The terrain may be a bit different but a good estimate, I think. The route was selected in consultation with First Nation community Elders. The route crosses 9 streams. There are fish and wildlife friendly crossing to minimize impact on traditional lands. Gravel deposits along the way are used for road construction and mobile crushers are used to ensure materials are available in the different sizes required for various aspects of construction. A good cost saver.

Here is a link to where I got this information. It is just an 8 minute video and the part about the road is about a minute into it. It is worth watching it all as it is a good example of a large company working together with First Nation communities including ceremonies performed by First Nation spiritual leaders and Elders. Manitoba Hydro has certainly not been perfect with their dealings with First Nation communities in the past but they have learned by their mistakes and have now partnered with this particular community. Developement of the Ring of Fire will require the same kind of trusts between large companies and First Nation communities. And, Noront does that very well! http://www.hydro.mb.ca/projects/wusk...