Transport Topics Article
Doug Struck wrote "Inching Up an Ice Highway by Truck" for Transport Topics (3/12/07). I learned that there are many winter roads through Canada and some in Finland, Russia and Alaska. The road in Northwest Territories is the longest over-water road in the world at 360 miles, 85% on ice. It also carries the heaviest traffic. This ice road was first built in 1983 to service the Lupin Gold Mine, 250 miles north of Yellowknife. The gold mine is now closed, but four diamond mines have opened along the route.
Another post mentioned Nuna Logistics, a company that does arctic drilling and construction, and rebuilds the ice road every year for the diamond mines. The cost of the road is shared by Diavik Diamond Mines and Billiton BHP.
Doug Struck's article reported that the companies hope to send a record 10,500 truckloads out from Yellowknife during the 2007 season. Trucks leave in groups of four, every 20 minutes, night and day.
There is a squad of retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who patrol the ice road to keep the truckers' speed down. I suppose the speed depends on ice thickness and vehicle weight, but the aritcle said that the mandatory speed limits are 6 mph and 15 mph. Drivers fight tedium with CB and satellite radio, CD and DVD players. Ravens will fly idly beside the trucks or perch on the mirrors demanding a bite of a trucker's sandwich.
A typical driver is a farmer or construction worker looking for winter work. They drive seven days a week for about 10 weeks, sleeping in the truck's bunk, showering and eating at the camps set up along the road. They earn $800 for the two-day trip to the BHP mine, more if they go farther up the road.
Are you still interested, Annie? In 2006, the warmest winter on record, the road opened late and melted early. Tons of needed supplies were stranded and the mining companies had to spend $100 million airlifting the cargo.
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