A deadlock on negotiations over upgrades to Highway 59 north may have broken. The two parties involved, Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation and the provincial government, have agreed to sit down and work things out.
Brokenhead officials said they’re waiting on the province to twin Highway 59 north through the reserve towards cottage country. The First Nation said the reserve land needed for the project was identified by both sides in 2012. The community held a news conference to address the matter Friday afternoon in Winnipeg.
Earlier this week, Premier Greg Selinger announced tens of millions of dollars to upgrade Highway 59 north. That did not include a plan to twin the highway.
Selinger said the province couldn't broker a deal to acquire 99 acres of land from Brokenhead to expand the road. Brokenhead Chief Jim Bear rejected that claim, saying provincial officials told him the real problem is funding.
Now it appears the premier and Brokenhead's chief want to move the project forward.
“We've agreed that we're going to work together on the land acquisition and the environmental issues in his territory, where his First Nation is, and we're going to co-operate,” said Selinger.
Drivers CTV spoke to support the idea. “Hell of a good idea, awesome idea,” said Ray Monkman. “You know how busy this highway is? Big-time busy.”
Chief Bear welcomes the invitation to co-operate, but says talks with the province stalled in 2012 after his community gave the Selinger government an appraisal of the land. He says they've had property set aside for years to pave the way for a divided highway.
“Brokenhead is not the stumbling block,” he said. “We're more than willing to negotiate.”
RCMP numbers show 231 crashes occurred on the highway since 2012.
Brokenhead says it has been trying to negotiate the twinning of Highway 59 north since 1984.
- With a report by Jeff Keele
