Ontario breaks ground on construction of Berens River Bridge
March 09, 2026
New permanent bridge across the Berens River in Northern Ontario will connect Pikangikum First Nation to year-round road access
The Ontario government¡ªin partnership with the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority, Pikangikum First Nation,?and the Government of Canada¡ªhas begun construction on a new permanent bridge across the Berens River.?Ãë²¥ is supporting the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority with technical?services,?from?initial feasibility studies through design,?and into construction delivery?for the project.
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?and an economic driver for?Ontario¡¯s remote northwest region.?It will provide year-round access to Pikangikum First Nation and?eliminate?the need for a winter road river crossing for six?additional?remote First Nations communities north of Red Lake, Ontario.?
Learn more about?Bridges and Structures work at Ãë²¥.