The Yukon government is starting the process in designing a bridge across the Yukon River in Dawson City.

At a Dawson City Chamber of Commerce luncheon today, Klondike MLA Peter Jenkins and acting Highways and Public Works Minister Jim Kenyon briefed diners on the government's plans.

The project will cost an estimated $25 million, Kenyon said.

The completed bridge will be 365 metres long and have two traffic lanes and a sidewalk.

According to a press release, the government will begin looking this week for a consultant to help with the bridge design.

Once the government has chosen the consultant, that person will be asked to speak with municipal and first nation governments, plus the business community and citizens of Dawson City, to ensure their interests are considered in the design.

As well, the release says, the design of the bridge will match the town's Gold Rush image.

The government wants the work on the design of the bridge to be completed by the spring 2005, with the hope the construction could come shortly after that.

Construction on the multimillion-dollar project would likely come during the next territorial election.

The bridge was promised by the Yukon Party during the 2002 territorial election.

But Liberal Leader Pat Duncan says building this bridge should not be a top priority.

'There are a number of other urgent priorities that warrant the commitment of public funds prior to the construction of the bridge in Dawson,' she said in an interview today.

She noted that sewage treatment plants need to be built in Dawson City, Carmacks and Ross River. As well, replacement bridges and schools are also needed throughout the territory.

NDP MLA Gary McRobb noted that Dawson City is still pumping raw sewage into the river.

The federal government has ordered the community to build a treatment facility.

Duncan said this is not so much about what is best for the Yukon but what one politician wants.

'It's about ego,' Duncan said, referring to Jenkins, her long-time rival.

'It's about a legacy for Mr. Jenkins and the Yukon Party. It's not about what's right for the Yukon.'

The Liberal leader added that not all Dawsonites want the bridge built, recognizing more important things are needed like the sewage facility.

The bridge would connect the main part of the town with West Dawson. Currently, the two sides are connected by an ice road in the winter and a ferry in the summer.

The release says a new ferry will need to be bought in six years at a cost of $6 million to $7 million, which is part of the reason for the bridge.

McRobb contends the government has not yet made the business case for building the bridge.

'There's far too many questions,' the New Democrat said in an interview this afternoon.

McRobb noted that when the Yukon Party promised to build the bridge during the election campaign, it indicated it would do so when feasible.

The party's platform book reads: 'Plan the construction of a bridge at Dawson City to replace the current ferry system when it is economical to do so.'

McRobb doesn't think it has been established yet that it is economical.

He said there are also questions about how it will be financed.

Last fall, when Premier Dennis Fentie said the government would begin looking at business arrangements with private businesses, the construction of a bridge in Dawson was given as an example.

The press release also states that Frank Murkowski, the governor of Alaska, indicated last year an interest in extending how long the Taylor Highway, which connects the Top of the World Highway from Dawson to Alaska, is opened each year, with the intent of eventually being open year-round.

The press release states the bridge and a longer open season for the highway will attract more tourists.

The statement also indicates that the government is currently doing preliminary work on the area to determine the environmental impacts and whether the ground can support a bridge.