Winter roads going well

Although a warm spell in mid-February affected some winter roads for a couple of days, the roads are now back to normal.
“It affected the roads for a couple of days, but it started cooling back down again so we’re back to hauling,” said Bearskin Lake Coun. George Kamenawatamin. “At this time we are moving steady except for the couple of days we paused.”
Kamenawatamin said his community has not yet hauled in any fuel supplies, but they have brought in 10 of the 14 double-walled 10,000-gallon fuel tanks they had ordered for a new fuel farm.
“We’re planning on setting them up temporarily as they come in so we can fill them for the fuel haul,” Kamenawatamin said.
The community has ordered building materials for two houses as well as five three-bedroom trailers this year, he said.
“We haven’t started on the housing yet. I’m hoping that starts this week,” Kamenawatamin said.
Kamenawatamin said the long-term weather forecast looks good for the winter road.
While Webequie’s winter road was not affected by the warm spell, it was affected by a blizzard.
“It’s open – it’s in pretty good condition right now,” said Webequie Coun. Randy Jacob. “We had a blizzard last weekend so the snow was covered on the winter road. Now it’s all cleared off.”
Jacob said his community has not received any supplies so far, but they are expecting some fuel supplies, materials for six houses and a police station that is currently in Pickle Lake.
“People are travelling out on the winter road,” Jacob said. “I know some people came back from Thunder Bay last night.”
Deer Lake’s winter road is in good shape with many people heading out for shopping trips.
“In our area the road is good,” said Deer Lake Coun. Saulas Meekis. “There are no semi-trucks yet.”
Meekis said the winter road was restricted to three-quarter limits on Feb. 22, but the transport trucks were expected to be cleared shortly thereafter.
“We’re getting some housing material, gas, diesel, trailers,” Meekis said. “The weather is good.”
Meekis said people in his community have been buying lots of new vehicles, snow machines and boats and motors this winter road season.