Marten Falls First Nation and Hatch sign memorandum of understanding to deliver community access road and other future programs

Marten Falls First Nation, Ontario — Marten Falls First Nation has selected Hatch and signed a memorandum of understanding to act as its engineering and project management partner to support the design and delivery of the Marten Falls Community Access Road, a transformative, multi‑purpose infrastructure project that will provide reliable, year‑round access to the community for the first time. The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held today in Toronto.

The proposed all‑season road will extend approximately 184 kilometers from the northern end of the Painter Lake forestry road to the Marten Falls First Nation community, connecting the community to Ontario’s provincial highway network. Designed as a multi‑purpose community access road, the Marten Falls Community Access Road will support economic participation and improved access to healthcare, education, and emergency services for the remote community, located approximately 400 kilometers northeast of Thunder Bay, which is currently accessible by air, with winter roads available seasonally.

“For Marten Falls members, the Community Access Road means freedom—the ability to travel safely and easily, to visit family without barriers and to access opportunities that were once out of reach. It means a future where isolation no longer defines us, and where our youth can look forward to education, careers and a life full of possibilities" ^[1] Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, Marten Falls First Nation

Hatch will work closely with Marten Falls First Nation to advance the project through detailed design and delivery, drawing on its experience supporting the design and construction of complex infrastructure projects in remote and northern/arctic environments, while prioritizing safety, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous partnership throughout the project life cycle.

Hatch and Marten Falls First Nation will work together to support broader community infrastructure needs that enable long‑term well‑being, such as power and other essential services, alongside transportation. Hatch will also provide advisory support to help Marten Falls First Nation plan for long‑term operations and community benefits, including assessing operational needs, workforce requirements, and training pathways that enable the community to build and sustain the skills required for long‑term success.

“Hatch is honored to continue our long‑standing partnership with Marten Falls First Nation for infrastructure of such deep importance to the community,” said John Bianchini, chair and CEO of Hatch. “We are proud to support Marten Falls First Nation’s vision for a future defined by connection, opportunity, and self‑determination. Contributing our expertise in a manner that will create lasting, positive change for generations to come is exactly the work we aspire to do.”

The project advances alongside recent commitments by the Government of Ontario to accelerate construction of all‑season roads to the Ring of Fire. In March, the Province and Marten Falls First Nation also formalized a new economic partnership aimed at enabling advanced exploration activities in the region.

Learn more about the Marten Falls Community Access Road project website.

For more information, please contact:

Lindsay Janca
Global Director, Public Relations
Tel: +1 905 403 4199
Email: media@hatch.com

About Hatch
Hatch is a global engineering, project delivery, and professional services firm. Whatever our clients envision, our teams can design and build. With seven decades of business and technical experience in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors, we know your business and understand that your challenges are changing rapidly. We respond quickly with solutions that are smarter, more efficient, and innovative. We draw upon our 11,000 staff with experience in over 150 countries to challenge the status quo and create positive change for our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve.

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