The provincial government is providing $6 million this year for winter ice roads.

Northern Development minister says they are providing a three year guarantee of funding.

He says that’s the budget for winter ice roads has gone up about $1.3 million over the past 10 years.

“The cost of fuel…the cost of maintaining these roads has increased,” explains Rickford.

“We’ve had to make alternative routes.  There have been seasonal demands based on the kind of winter it is.”

Rickford adds the multi-year funding pledge is also very helpful to anyone creating and maintaining the roads.

“We heard loud and clear from the folks that use the winter network, the stable funding allowed them to make projections.  So we ordered $6 million dollars a year over the next three years, and of course that’s flexible because winter brings different things on us.”

In addition, Windigo First Nations Council is getting $2 million to purchase portable bridges and culverts on the ice roads in the far north.