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Remembrance Day – Monday, November 11. View holiday hours for City of Winnipeg facilities and services.

Remembrance Day – Monday, November 11. View holiday hours for City of Winnipeg facilities and services.

Water and Waste Department

City of Winnipeg Support for Freedom Road

The City of Winnipeg was a partner in building road access to the community of Shoal Lake First Nation #40. In order to do so, an all-weather road and two bridges were designed and constructed. The first bridge was completed in June 2016, while the second bridge was completed as of August 2018. The opening of the all-weather road, also known as Freedom Road, was celebrated in June 2019.

Falcon River Bridge
Falcon River bridge, completed in June 2016
Falcon River Bridge
Aqueduct bridge, completed in August 2018

The cost of Freedom Road is estimated at $30 million , based on a 2011 preliminary estimate ($3 million for the design and $27 million for the road and two bridges), with the City of Winnipeg contributing $10 million to the project.

Shoal Lake Tripartite Agreement

  • The Shoal Lake tripartite agreement partners us with the Province of Manitoba and Shoal Lake First Nation #40.
  • Established and signed on June 30, 1989, the agreement was designed to protect the water of Shoal Lake by promoting sustainable development in the adjacent land.
  • The objectives of the agreement include the protection of Shoal Lake – the source of Winnipeg’s drinking water, the development of a comprehensive waste management system and the promotion of economic development for the community.
  • The key to sustainable economic and social development in the area is an all-weather access road.

Designing the all-weather road and bridges

Falcon River Bridge
Falcon River bridge, completed in June 2016
Falcon River Bridge
Aqueduct bridge, completed in August 2018
  • In its 2012 adopted capital budget, the City of Winnipeg included $1 million to proceed with the design of two bridges (Falcon River and Aqueduct), independently of other levels of government.
  • In 2012, then Mayor Sam Katz, Manitoba Minister Kevin Chief and Chief Erwin Redsky wrote to the Federal Government requesting matching Federal contributions towards the detailed design of the all-weather road to the Shoal Lake First Nation #40 community.
  • In its 2013 adopted capital budget, the City of Winnipeg included an additional $1 million for the design of the Falcon River and the Aqueduct bridges.
  • Preliminary design of the two bridges started in 2012.
  • In 2014, the Federal Government committed funding to the detailed design of Freedom Road.
  • In 2015, AECOM Engineering Consultants were engaged by the Shoal Lake First Nation #40 community to start the design of Freedom Road.

Constructing the all-weather road and bridges

  • In its 2015 adopted capital budget, the City of Winnipeg included an additional $2 million for the construction of the Falcon River bridge.  On April 14, 2015, Mayor Brian Bowman and Manitoba Minister Kevin Chief wrote to the Federal Government, asking for their commitment towards the construction of Freedom Road upon the completion of the detailed design.
  • The Falcon River Bridge was completed on June 29, 2016. This permanent, all-weather crossing was funded, designed, and tendered by the City of Winnipeg. Construction of the bridge required community involvement for labor and supply of aggregate. This bridge provides access to the western mainland of Shoal Lake #40 reserve, including the recently developed gravel quarry and the seasonal winter road. It is an important link between Freedom Road and the Trans-Canada Highway.
  • Council also approved an additional $6 million (for a total of $10 million) in the 2016 budget for the construction of Freedom Road.
  • The Aqueduct Bridge was completed on August 22, 2018. This permanent, all-weather crossing was funded, designed, and tendered by the City of Winnipeg. Construction of the bridge required community involvement for supply of aggregate. This bridge replaces a temporary crossing that has been used by Shoal Lake #40 for winter road and construction traffic since 2010. The new, permanent bridge is in a location that reduces the overall length of Freedom Road, and provides protection to the aqueduct by removing all traffic loading on the pipe.
  • The opening of Freedom Road was celebrated in June 2019.
Falcon River Bridge
Falcon River bridge during construction

Interim Winter Road

  • In 2010, the City paid $100,000, which was one third of the initial cost of creating a western access winter road to Shoal Lake First Nation #40.
  • In the winter of 2014-15, the City paid $50,000 to open the winter road for the bridge projects.
Last updated: June 19, 2019

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