Government of Yukon

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FOR RELEASE     #07-205
September 27, 2007

Ribbon Cutting for New Carcross Foot Bridge

A ribbon cutting ceremony in Carcross today marked the official completion of the new Carcross footbridge. The new steel and wood–decked footbridge replaces the old wooden footbridge.

The $1.75 million cost of the footbridge construction was funded through a combined $3.5 million-contribution agreement between Canada and Yukon for Carcross waterfront development. The other six projects are: to build a tourist beach access area and restroom facilities, a shore clean-up, new dock facilities, a new carving facility, community entrance signs and landscaping, and road upgrades in the downtown core.

The scope and location of the latter four projects will be confirmed through the downtown core planning process to be completed prior to December 2007. This will enable these projects to be completed next spring and summer.

"Following extensive consultations with the Carcross Tagish First Nation, the South Klondike Local Area Council and the community at large, the waterfront development plans were confirmed and work commenced this spring on replacing the footbridge," Community Services Minister Glenn Hart said. "Given the high water situation this summer, I am very pleased with the performance of this project being completed on time and on budget."

"This truly has been a community project,"MLA for the Southern Lakes, Patrick Rouble said. "Many good ideas came forward on what should be done to enhance the community’s appeal, but by the end of the consultations there was strong support for the waterfront development project presently underway."

"The footbridge has been a place where the entire community could meet and strengthen friendships while fishing," Carcross Tagish First Nation Chief Mark Wedge said. "We are looking forward to further working in partnership with the Yukon government to develop the Carcross downtown site in a way that is welcoming to guests of our Traditional Territory."

"I look forward to the many positives the waterfront project will contribute to our community," said Linda Pringle of the South Klondike Local Area Council. "It was a community vision with strong local support and it is very rewarding to see that vision taking shape."

Backgrounder: The Carcross Waterfront Development Project

 
Roxanne Vallevand 
Cabinet Communications 
Government of Yukon  
(867) 633-7949
roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca
 Doug Caldwell
Communications Analyst
Government of Yukon
(867) 667-8065
doug.caldwell@gov.yk.ca

Backgrounder

The Carcross Waterfront Development Project

The Carcross Waterfront Development Project is supported by equal contributions of $1.75 million from the Governments of Canada and Yukon.  Indian and Northern Affairs Canada isthe federal delivery agency for the project working in partnership with Infrastructure Canada. The footbridge replacement is but one of seven components of the Carcross waterfront development project. The other six project components include:
1. developing a tourist beach access area complete with associated restroom facilities,
2. undertaking a large-scale shore clean-up,
3. construction of new dock facilities,
4. developing a new carving facility,
5. updating community entrance signs and landscaping, and
6. performing road upgrades in the downtown core.

History of the Foot Bridge

  • In 1905, a wagon bridge was built across the outlet of Lake Bennett to access silver mines under developmentIn 2004, the footbridge was in very poor condition due to age and influences of the elements
  • In 1978, a wooden footbridge was built to replace the wagon bridge. It quickly became a significant location for residents and visitors to socialize and enjoy fishing
  • In 2004, the footbridge was in very poor condition due to age and influences of the elements
  • In 2005, the condition of the bridge deteriorated to the point where it was no longer safe and the bridge was closed.  The same year, a commitment from Canada and Yukon to invest $3 million in the Carcross Waterfront Development Project was secured
  • Through 2006 and early 2007, consultations were held with the community and an environmental and socio-economic assessment was done on the bridge project
  • In the spring of 2007, the bridge tender was awarded to M. Johnson Construction of Galway, British Columbia and construction began


Photo compilation of the construction of the new footbridge courtesy of Explore the Yukon.com http://explorenorth.com/yukon/carcross-footbridge.html