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This article was published 7/11/2016 (1415 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Brian Pallister predicted Monday that shovels will be in the ground to build Freedom Road within 60 to 90 days.

"The project will get underway in the next 60 to 90 days — it will be historic," Pallister said, referring to the long-awaited year-round road into Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.

The First Nation, in northwestern Ontario just east of the Manitoba border, supplies Winnipeg with its drinking water.

Pallister's assurance outside the house came after a verbal shoving match between the government and the NDP during question period.

"Shoal Lake 40 remains isolated, without drinking water," said MLA Nahanni Fontaine.

MLA Amanda Lathlin said that the community — which uses ferries when the water is open — will have to rely on ice roads for yet another winter.

"We will get it done, where (the NDP) didn't in 17 years," he said, without providing details.

Outside the house, Pallister told reporters that Manitoba has to get Ottawa to commit on the project cost before the province can commit to sharing one-third.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca