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‘The first vehicular bridge
»across the Nass River was
officially opened on Saturday
July 8, by Resources Minister
Ray Williston.

The brief but colorful
ceremony marking the occasion
was attended by over 200
guests. It included several
enthusiastic speeches, the:
unveiling of a bronze plaque
and the traditional cutting
of a ribbon at the north end
of the structure.

The bridgé constitutes
the vital link in a network
of forest roads joining the
Yellowhead Highway (Number
16), extending east from’
Prince Rupert, with Stewarv
at the head of the Portland
Canal. tn fact it provides
Stewart with its first
completed road connection
with the main provincial
highway system,

Prince Rupert District
Forester W.G. (Wally) Hughes
was master of ceremonies for
the occasion. He stressed
the importance of the bridge
for the access it provides
for the protection and wise

resources of northwestern

south and Invited everyone

' "Canada's most northerly

: aed ice-free port''. In doing so,
cower Ss ui «they would see the most
ten _ “ beautiful scenery in '8.C.,

» he said.

Resources Minister
Williston pointed out that
over one third of B.C. 's
resources lie to the north
of the bridge which will
now provide the essential
communication link for the
removal of these forest end
mineral resources as well
as for people travelling to
and from this vast area.
He added that the Forest
Service is presently working
on the clearing for relocat<
ion and widening of the road
between the bridge and the
Stewart-Cassiar road.
Improvements will also be
made south of the bridge.

In a statement of caution
Mr. Williston also said "He
who comes into this country
and doesn't honor the country
in the methods he uses to
extract the natural
resources, will not be allow-
ed to continue’.

To complete the program
the Minister, together with
young Pamela Ryan, a native
Canadian from Prince Rupert
unveiled a commemorative
plaque, cut the ribbon and
let the symbolic walk across
the bridge, thus opening
northwestern British Columbia
for its glorious. future.

Fort Nelson has a keen
B.C. interest in Stewart, B.C.

He emphasized the J ae both as a northern port sad
of the bridge which, although aS a potential tourist
built primarily for the gest iarion when the provinc~
development and protection es' road networks are comple-
of the forests, provides a ted. .
vital road link to the south So we are publishing a
for the people of the Stewart B.C. Forest release story on
area. the Nass River Bridge.

Mayor lan McLeod of kk *

Stewart agreed whole hearted-
ly with his neighbor to the

use ner: ches vast Pores
resources in the Upper Nass
and Bell-Irving River. areas.

He also reviewed some
very interesting facts about
the bridge which is a unique
combination of. wood and steel
--using the best features of .
each.

Mayor Lloyd Johnstone of
Terrace, speaking for al]
the mayors for the region
between Prince Rupert and
Houston, thanked Mr. Willis-
ton and his department for
their foresight in planning
the ‘development of the vast

If you don't think a woran
to travel the 50 miles from is explostve, drop one!

the bridge site to Stewart,