Ed,

I think you are quite correct about the Alternate EW as a permanent road, and the 4 grey shading areas are connecting winter roads (the government may step in to upgrade those to pernament status as part of their initiative to develop those northern commnuties...with agreement request from the local FNs)

The fourth shaded area at the top from the RoF (NOT Esker Camp) to Webequie Jct was initially proposed by NOT as a winter road (cost: $18M) along with the slurry pipeline to Webequie Jct (length ~100km; cost ~$100M, a guess). The cost of this 4th shaded area is about the same ($18M vs $20M) as that from Marten Falls to the Alternate EW (I call that connection Marten Falls Jct which is near the Attawapiskat River, on the south side of the river) as shown on the map.

Yes the distance from that Jct to Marten Falls is not short (about the same as the 4th shaded area up top (~100km). There is an existing ice road to connect Marten Falls to the south (near Nakina). Hence, all together from Nakina we have 3 sections: Nakina/Marten Falls; Marten Falls/MF Jct; MF Jct/to the RoF which could be on the same road bed with the Alternate route going straight up north (cost: ~$40 for permanent road, cheaper for ice road, say around ~$20M). Note: This portion will need to cross Attawapiskat River.) These 3 sections would form a continous ice road from Nakina to the RoF. Hence, one route would be available to mining companies for the winter months, with road maintenance provided by snow plough operators from Marten Falls. Nice!

(Note: CLF was hiring local operator to provide the maintenance of the ice road as part of the community outreach program, before it pulled out...may be that was why CLF sent out that letter advising the FN folks that it may sell the RoF assets, read: hence no more ice road maintenance subsidy?).

Agreed that the FNs and the govts should get together and decide on the infrastructure. Even with permanent (service) roads which can be used by regular trucks (not monster trucks) should not be expensive. A few hundred $M would do the trick. No big deal, compared to the package of ~$13B (yes, it Billions) to rescue GM and Chrysler not too long ago by the Feds and Ontario.

goldhunter