O'Chiese First Nation (OCFN) - Baptiste River Bridge Replacement

The proposed project is the replacement of the Baptiste River Bridge on the proponent's reserve lands (O'Chiese First Nation No. 203 Reserve). The Project also includes realigning and rehabilitating segments of roadway leading up to the bridge. The new clear span bridge will be designed to accommodate an one in 100-year flood event and the road rehabilitation will present a safer approach for traffic flow across the bridge. The Baptiste River Bridge and Range Road 94A are essential structures to the Nation since they form the primary access point from the nearest town to the community for emergency services, community members accessing specialized services, and commuters from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. Therefore, this project is imperative to the O'Chiese First Nation because the new bridge and updated road corridor will increase safety for community members by mitigating potential flood impacts and ensuring efficient response times from emergency services while also contributing to increased economic development opportunities for the Nation.

Project works include:

  • Construction of a clear span bridge
  • Instillation of Rip rap
  • Realignment (paving) of approximately 500 m of Range Road 94A on either side of the bridge (total 1 km)

The Project involves works in water (Baptiste River). Excavation and grading will also be required for the road realignment. The Project will take place on federal lands (O'Chiese No. 203 IR) and has requirements under section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA).

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Latest update

August 5, 2025 - Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) and Transport Canada (TC) have determined that the proposed O’Chiese First Nation (OCFN) – Baptiste River Bridge Replacement Project (the Project) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

  • Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
  • Indigenous knowledge;
  • community knowledge;
  • comments received from the public; and
  • technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation and monitoring measures taken into account for this determination included active and adaptive management measures that would be implemented for the protection of local environmental.  Based on the consideration of these measures, HICC and TC are satisfied that the carrying out of the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, HICC and TC may carry out the Project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the Project to be carried out in whole or in part.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
2 Notice of Determination - August 5, 2025
1 Notice of Intent - June 25, 2025

Contacts

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Stéfanie Larose, Environmental Review Officer
800 René-Lévesque W
Montreal, Quebec H3B 1X9
Telephone: 343-596-7166
Email: stefanie.larose@infc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • O'Chiese No. 203 IR (Alberta)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Bridges

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-06-10

  • Proponent

    O'Chiese First Nation

  • Authorities

    • Infrastructure Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89622

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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