Access Road Restrictions

Download a PDF of the Access Road Restrictions information brochure (May 2017).

Where is the Access Road?

The Wuskwatim access road
starts at Provincial Road 391
northwest of Thompson, and leads to the generating
station site.

What is the Wuskwatim access road?

The Wuskwatim access road is a 48-kilometre all-weather gravel road developed to access the Wuskwatim Generating Station.  The access road provides year-round access for Operations and Maintenance staff.

Who owns the road?

The access road is owned and operated as a private road by the Wuskwatim Power Limited Partnership (WPLP), a limited partnership between the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) and Manitoba Hydro. 

Why are access restrictions in place?

  • To provide safe, coordinated access to Wuskwatim Generating Station for authorized users;
  • To support sustainable use through protection of the area’s natural resources; and
  • To support the preservation of the socio-economic, cultural, spiritual and heritage values of NCN.

How long will access restrictions last?

The access road will continue to be operated under private ownership of WPLP, and will be adapted and revised as necessary.

Who can use the road?

  • Operations and Maintenance staff and management, as authorized by the Department Manager;
  • NCN members for Ceremonial purposes, when pre-authorized by the Department Manager in consultation with the NCN Implementation Office **;
  • Emergency vehicles/personnel and regulators; and
  • NCN resource harvesters, including Wuskwatim Lake commercial fishers, trapline holders and helpers, and traditional resource harvesters, when pre-authorized by the Department Manager in consultation with the NCN Implementation office **.

**Prior approval required

Under what conditions can others use the road?

  • When authorized by the Department Manager, others such as schools, the public and media, may be granted access for formal tours of the site.

How are control measures enforced?

  • Control measures are enforced by an automated security gate located just south of the intersection of the Wuskwatim access road and PR 391.
  • The automated security gate will operate 24-hours per day, seven days per week. Access outside of regular operating hours (7:00 AM to 6:30 PM) will be limited to staff with pre-approved access cards.
  • Operation staff will maintain a list of authorized road users and only those individuals are permitted access.
  • Random patrols will be conducted to monitor unauthorized use of the access road.