By Glenn Hicks

Some upgrades for highway near Cumberland House

May 24, 2018 | 5:00 PM

It appears concerns about the condition of parts of Highway 123 near Cumberland House have received the attention of the province.

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure has announced six kilometers of upgrades in the form of a grade raise in a couple of locations which it’s hoped will alleviate the flooding and drainage issues that have made the roadway impassable at times, especially during the spring thaw.

“Most of the grade raise will be between 24 km and 29 km north of the E.B. Campbell Dam,” the Ministry’s Steve Shaheen told northeastNOW . “The other section is smaller, about 42 kms north of the dam.”

The government said with parts of the road running through the Saskatchewan River delta, it was an important project that would reduce the future risk of flooding.

“These two locations are on curves on the highway near the river and are prone to flooding so the project should mitigate that,” Shaheen said. He added the contractor, who’s efforts were thwarted by heavy rain last year, had already done some key earthworks in March in preparation for what will be over $3 million in upgrades.

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Cumberland House Mayor Kelvin McKay thanked the ministry for ongoing efforts on the highway.

“The council in Cumberland House would like to express gratitude regarding Highway 123 as it has been holding up good this spring,” he said in a statement.

Last year a band councillor with Cumberland House Cree Nation said the main concern was for the safety of those in town with medical patients, like those receiving dialysis, making a number of trips per week out of the island village. The road had been repaired multiple times in the past, but because of its drainage issues, and the wet weather, little progress had been made.

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