Arch Engineers was engaged to provide specialized construction management services for the development of a 130-kilometre Pioneer Winter Road to access a privately owned mine site in the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories. Tasked by the project owner to provide on-the-ground technical and logistical support, Arch deployed a senior construction manager in the fall to collaborate directly with the owner’s project manager, supporting early procurement planning, logistics coordination, and field-based decision-making.
The project encompassed several key infrastructure components critical to successful winter access, including the construction of a full-length ice road, development of an engineered ice bridge, reactivation of 14 km of existing logging road, and the clearing of right-of-way for a future all-season road. Additional work involved the installation of multiple stream crossings, including temporary bridge spans, culverts, and engineered snow and ice crossings designed to meet environmental and operational requirements.
Arch’s role focused on ensuring the practical execution of the construction plan by integrating engineering judgment with field conditions—anticipating challenges related to frozen ground, material staging, and time-sensitive windows for safe construction. Our team brought deep experience managing winter construction programs in northern and remote environments, ensuring that critical operations such as clearing, subgrade preparation, and watercourse crossings were executed efficiently and to regulatory standards.
This project reflects Arch Engineers’ capability in supporting remote infrastructure development through tailored construction management services and technical expertise, particularly in demanding northern climates.