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 Downlaod a PDF of the information brochure.
Where is the Access Road?
The Wuskwatim access road starts at Provincial
Road 391 northwest of Thompson, and leads to
the site of the generating station, workers camp,
and other facilities related to the project.
What is the Wuskwatim access road and why is it being built?
The Wuskwatim access road is a 48-kilometre all-weather gravel road developed to access the site where the Wuskwatim Generating Station is being built at Taskinigup Falls at the outlet of Wuskwatim Lake.
Once complete in 2008, the road will be used to transport supplies, equipment, workers and contractors to the site during the remaining years of construction. It will also be used to transport sand and gravel for construction between local borrow areas, located along the route, and the site.
Who owns the road?
The access road is owned and operated as a private road by the Wuskwatim Power Limited Partnership, a limited partnership between the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) and Manitoba Hydro, created to build and operate the Wuskwatim Generating Station.
Why are access restrictions in place?
- To provide safe, coordinated access to the Wuskwatim Project for authorized users during construction
- To support sustainable use through the protection of the area’s natural resources
- To support the preservation of the socio-economic, cultural, spiritual and heritage values of NCN.
How long will the access restrictions last?
- Access restrictions will be in place during the construction phase of the Wuskwatim project – estimated to be completed in 2012
- The Partnership will consider whether to change the restrictions once construction has ended.
Who can use the road?
- Project traffic, including staff and management, as authorized by the Resident Manager
- NCN members for Ceremonial purposes, when authorized by the Resident Manager in consultation with the NCN Implementation Coordinator
- Emergency vehicles/personnel and regulators
- NCN resource harvesters, including Wuskwatim Lake commercial fishers, trapline holders and helpers, and traditional resource harvesters, when authorized by the Resident Manager in consultation with the NCN Resource Coordinator’s office or NCN Implementation office.
Under what conditions can others use the road?
- When authorized by the Resident Manager, others may be granted access for formal tours of the site (e.g., school, public and media tours)
- In general, permission may be granted only after construction on the access road and camp is complete in 2008.
How are control measures enforced?
- Control measures are enforced by a control gate and security staff located just south of the intersection of the access road and Provincial Road 391
- The gate is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week during the construction phase
- Security guards have a list of authorized road users and only those individuals are permitted access
- Security patrols, as well as Manitoba Hydro supervisory and inspection staff, will monitor unauthorized use of the access road, whether through the use of snow machines or ATVs.
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