The Ontario government, in partnership with the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority (WFCRMA), Pikangikum First Nation, and the Government of Canada, has officially begun construction on a new permanent bridge across the Berens River in Northwestern Ontario. The project will provide year-round road access to Pikangikum First Nation and eliminate the need for a seasonal winter road river crossing currently relied upon by remote communities north of Red Lake.

The Berens River Bridge is a transformative northern infrastructure project designed to improve safety, enhance economic development, and strengthen supply chain reliability for seven First Nations communities in the region. In addition to Pikangikum First Nation, improved winter road connections will benefit Poplar Hill, McDowell Lake, Deer Lake, North Spirit Lake, Sandy Lake, and Keewaywin First Nations.

M.D. Steele has been selected as the primary contractor and will lead construction of the innovative engineered mass-timber bridge. Pre-construction activities are already underway, including site mobilization, subcontractor coordination, shop drawings, and aggregate blasting to prepare the bridge foundation. Construction of a temporary bridge will continue through spring 2026, with the permanent two-lane structure expected to be completed in 2028.

Once finished, the Berens River Bridge will be the first major transportation infrastructure project in Canada to integrate mass timber structural components at this scale. The project also aligns with the approved Forest Management Plan for Whitefeather Forest and is being developed in accordance with “Keeping the Land,” Pikangikum First Nation’s community-based land-use plan. The initiative is expected to create opportunities for sustainable timber harvesting in the Whitefeather Forest while generating good-paying construction jobs.

The new bridge will significantly enhance regional connectivity by replacing the lengthy and potentially hazardous ice crossing currently required to access Pikangikum First Nation and the broader winter road network. By enabling reliable, year-round access, the project will improve delivery of essential goods and services, strengthen public safety, and reduce transportation challenges for remote communities.

The Berens River Bridge and associated roadworks were first announced in August 2024 as part of a multi-government partnership commitment to expand northern transportation infrastructure. The initiative reflects Ontario’s broader strategy to invest in critical infrastructure that supports Indigenous communities, facilitates responsible resource development, and builds long-term economic resilience across the North.

By modernizing transportation networks in remote regions, Ontario is working to unlock new economic opportunities, support workforce development, and ensure goods and services can move efficiently and safely. The Berens River Bridge stands as a landmark infrastructure investment that combines innovation, Indigenous partnership, and sustainable resource management to strengthen Northwestern Ontario’s future.

Construction will continue through 2028 as provincial, federal, and Indigenous partners collaborate to deliver this critical infrastructure asset for Northern communities.

Explore related articles you won’t want to miss:

How Digital Networking is Transforming the Construction Sector

AI is the New Search Engine: How to Keep Your Construction Brand Visible

• 
•