WINNIPEG — An isolated reserve near the Manitoba-Ontario boundary is a step closer to being connected with the outside world.
Shoal Lake 40 First Nation has received final design plans for a road that will link the reserve to the Trans-Canada Highway.
The design plan comes with a price tag of $33 million — $3 million above the original estimate five years ago but well below the $50 million estimate in recent months.
Phil Cesario, the design project manager, says some cost-cutting was done by narrowing the road slightly and by realigning some sections to reduce the need for rock-blasting.
Shoal Lake 40 was cut off from the mainland a century ago during construction of an aqueduct which sends fresh water to Winnipeg.
The reserve has been under a boil-water advisory for 18 years, and efforts are underway to start construction in the new year.
WATCH: Previous Global News coverage of Shoal Lake 40 First Nation