Ontario Beginning Construction of Berens River Bridge

Press Release

February 23, 2026

New permanent bridge will connect Pikangikum First Nation to year-round road access

PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION — The Ontario government, in partnership with the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority, Pikangikum First Nation and the Government of Canada, has begun construction on a new permanent bridge across the Berens River that will provide year-round access to Pikangikum First Nation and eliminate the need for a winter road river crossing for other remote First Nations communities north of Red Lake. Construction of the bridge will support good-paying jobs during construction and will improve access to essential goods and services, while enhancing safety and supporting economic development for seven First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario.

“Working in partnership with the federal government and the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority, our government is investing in critical infrastructure to build a better transportation network that will improve safety and unlock economic opportunities for communities in the North,” said the Honourable George Pirie, Ontario Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Breaking ground on this bridge marks an important step toward delivering reliable access for remote communities, creating good-paying jobs and building a stronger, more resilient North.”

M.D. Steele was selected as the primary bridge contractor and will lead construction of the innovative engineered mass-timber bridge. Pre-construction work is underway, including securing sub-contractors, mobilization to the construction site and completion of shop drawings. Aggregate blasting is beginning this week to produce materials required to prepare the bridge site. Additional onsite work, including construction of a temporary bridge, will continue through spring 2026, with the final, permanent bridge expected to be completed in 2028.

Once complete, the bridge will be the first of its kind in Canada to integrate mass timber structural components into major transportation infrastructure, serving as a key connection point to Ontario’s remote northwest region. The project will create opportunities for harvesting wood in the Whitefeather Forest, enable year-round access to Pikangikum First Nation and improve winter road connections for six additional remote First Nation communities. It will also eliminate the lengthy ice crossing currently required to access Pikangikum First Nation and the broader winter roads network.

Through targeted investments in northern transportation infrastructure, Ontario is improving access to essential services, supporting resource development and expanding economic opportunities for remote and Indigenous communities. By building and maintaining a modern, reliable transportation network, the province is keeping goods and people moving safely and efficiently while strengthening supply chains and supporting economic growth across Ontario.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, Pikangikum First Nation and the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority announced their partnership to build the Berens River Bridge and an all-season road to Pikangikum First Nation in August 2024.
• The six additional remote First Nations that will benefit from improved winter road connections include Poplar Hill First Nation, McDowell Lake First Nation, Deer Lake First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, Sandy Lake First Nation and Keewaywin First Nation.
• The bridge and roadworks included in the project are identified in the approved Forest Management Plan for Whitefeather Forest and are being developed in alignment with Keeping the Land, Pikangikum First Nation’s community-based land-use plan.

Quotes

“Through the leadership of Pikangikum First Nation, and partnerships with the federal government and Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority, we mark a milestone on regional legacy infrastructure – the Berens River Bridge. This is about improving the safety and connectivity of seven isolated First Nations communities, while unlocking the economic opportunities for future generations.”
– The Honourable Greg Rickford
Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships

“Reaching the pre-construction phase in the Berens River Bridge project is a significant milestone. This initiative is a prime example of what happens with the strength and vision of communities working together. Projects like this represent the kind of infrastructure we need to make winter travel safer and to support economic opportunities in Indigenous communities.”
– The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty
Minister of Indigenous Services Canada

“The Berens River bridge was part of the vision of Pikangikum Elders for the Whitefeather Forest Initiative. It fulfills the direction they gave as they guided the development of Keeping The Land, the official land use strategy for the Whitefeather Forest. Planning included all of our clans and involved our Elders, Head Trappers, and Indigenous Knowledge experts. The Elders always began every meeting by starting with a prayer to the Creator. Planning was carried out in partnership with Ontario. The Berens River Bridge will really benefit Pikangikum and our neighbouring First Nations by providing improved access to our communities.”
– Alex Peters
President, Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority

“Delivering a project of this scale and complexity in a remote environment takes creativity, partnership and commitment. This bridge is a unique engineering achievement, but its true value lies in what it enables — connecting Pikangikum, Deer Lake, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake, Poplar Hill and Sandy Lake First Nations to dependable ground access. We’re grateful to work alongside the communities and leadership of these First Nations, whose guidance and partnership are essential to doing this work the right way. As the first phase of a larger vision, this project helps lay the foundation for long-term connectivity, opportunity and shared progress.”
– Richard Wilson
President, M.D. Steele

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Media Contacts

Sam McCormick
Minister’s Office
sam.mccormick@ontario.ca

Media Relations
Communications Branch
mediadesk.MNEDG@ontario.ca

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