Construction Underway on Mass Timber Bridge Across Ontario’s Berens River

A new permanent bridge across Ontario’s Berens River is now under construction, bringing year-round access closer for Pikangikum First Nation and other remote communities north of Red Lake, Daily Commercial News reported (2-27-29).

The project is a partnership between Ontario, the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority, Pikangikum First Nation, and Canada.

Once completed, the bridge will eliminate the lengthy ice crossing currently required to access Pikangikum First Nation. The project is also expected to create opportunities for harvesting wood in the Whitefeather Forest and improve winter road connections for six additional remote First Nation communities.

The primary contractor, M.D. Steele, will lead construction of the mass timber bridge. Pre-construction work is already underway.

The permanent bridge is expected to be completed in 2028. According to the province, it will be the first project of its kind in Canada to integrate mass timber structural components into major transportation infrastructure.