The hard freeze that has teeth chattering across much of the U.S. has been a blessing to native communities in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

According to media reports, construction is finally underway on the ice roads that allow tractor-trailers to deliver goods to remote villages in the winter.

A warmer-than-usual start to the winter had residents worried that they couldn't be supplied, but the recent cold snap thickened the ice on lakes enough for the heavy rigs to make it across.