An excavator involved in an embankment widening project at Pontoon Lake, located approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Yellowknife, accidentally slipped into the water on Friday. The Northern Territories’ Department of Infrastructure revealed that the excavator became partially submerged due to a collapse in the construction embankment fill. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Despite the lack of physical harm, a spill report in the Department of Environment and Climate Change’s database disclosed that around 450 liters of fuel were leaked during the incident. This marks the second mishap at the construction site within the same week. RTL Robinson Enterprises Ltd., the contracting company, had previously managed an overturned dump truck incident where no spills were recorded.
The ongoing project involves the widening of the embankment and the installation of guardrails along a segment of the Ingraham Trail near kilometer 26. Both the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Environment and Climate Change issued a joint statement confirming that the contractor promptly informed regulatory authorities and implemented spill containment procedures until the excavator is safely retrieved. They also mentioned possible delays for residents due to the ongoing work.
Despite attempts to reach out, RTL Robinson Enterprises Ltd. has not provided a comment regarding the incidents.