Getting to know the winter road to Cat Lake NW Ontario

by Kevin Jesmer on Monday, December 21st, 2015 | No Comments

Getting to know the winter road to Cat Lake NW Ontario

1-iceroad truckers header

Cat Lake is only accessible by air year-round and a seasonal winter road from Pickle Lake, via Northern Ontario Resource Trail which takes an average of 5 hours.

http://search.211north.ca/record/TBD0039

175-kilometre winter road running from Pickle Lake to the community.

http://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2012/01/2011-2012-winter-roads-program.html

Notice all of the water between Cat and Pickle, winter road requires many swamps need compacting, creek crossings and muskeg to be tramped, filled in with snow and frozen ice bridges , etc. Some years the road is only opened for a few weeks usually though opened for 6-7 weeks. This year it looks good for winter road- cold and lots of snow… L.W.

Ontario-winter-roads-map (1)

winter road cat lake cat lake in winter truck

Wesly picture of winter road wesley picture of winter road sunset
2009:

Ontario is helping build a network of more than 3,000 kilometres of winter roads through Ontario’s Far North forests, and over frozen rivers and lakes. The province is supporting the construction of the annual road system which, for a few months of each year, connects otherwise isolated Far North First Nation communities to the Ontario road system.

Winter roads are an economical way to move people, goods and equipment into and between Northern Ontario’s remote First Nations that are limited to air transportation access during the rest of the year. They also help bring down travel and transportation costs for residents and local business activities.

“Safe and reliable winter roads represent a critical link for our First Nation communities in the Far North. These few months of winter road access can have a major impact on the quality of life in a community throughout the year,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid

QUICK FACTS

> This winter, 29 road projects are being undertaken as part of five distinct systems, linking the 31 remote First Nation communities in Ontario’s Far North. Inquiries on the status of individual road systems should be directed at the appropriate First Nation communities.

> The province is investing $4 million in the construction of the winter road system this year, and has invested $18 million in construction and maintenance costs on the network since 2004-05.

In addition to this annual investment, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) has funded four winter road realignment projects in recent years, in partnership with First Nation communities and the federal government.

http://nationtalk.ca/story/winter-road-network-connects-the-far-north

“I understand how crucial winter roads are for the economic and social well being of residents of Far North communities,” said Gravelle. “I am pleased that our government’s support of an annual winter roads construction program is once again helping remote communities have more economical, safe and convenient access to services and supplies.”

Winter roads are built over frozen ground and waterways to connect communities in the Far North to the province’s permanent highway and rail systems. Weather permitting, the winter roads are in use from late January until late March. The winter roads are built and maintained by First Nations communities or winter road corporations, which are expected to contribute the remainder of the funds required.

http://media.knet.ca/node/3257