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TUKTOYAKTUK - The construction industry in Tuktoyaktuk got an early Christmas present from the territorial government on Dec. 22.

Tuktoyaktuk mayor Mervin Gruben says he's confident a new all-weather road could connect Tuk to Inuvik. NNSL file photo

Tuktoyaktuk will receive a $12 million grant to build a 22-km all-weather access road to a gravel source known as "site 177" south of the community.

The construction of the road is an important step towards the possible construction of an all-weather road linking Tuk to the rest of Canada.

"I'm confident that by the time we finish in two years we'll have enough momentum and we'll be able to carry this road right through to Inuvik," said Tuk’s mayor Mervin Gruben.

Premier Floyd Roland and Industry Tourism and Investment minister Bob McLeod flew to Tuk on Dec. 22 to make the official announcement.

The $12 million will come from the federal Building Canada Fund. The Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk is putting $1 million towards the project. The overall estimated cost of the road is $15 million. It is still unclear where the last $2 million will come from. Gruben said the shortfall will not be a problem in the long run.

"We've discussed that and we're still going ahead and we'll access more money as we go along here," he said.

GNWT spokesperson Brad Poulter said the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation has also been approached for financial assistance on the project but no agreement has yet been reached.

The road construction will bring some much-needed work to the local economy, which is facing a slowdown in oil and gas exploration this year.

The road to site 177 has been on the community's wish list for more than a decade now. Gravel is needed for just about any roadwork or construction in the low-lying town.

The territorial government passed legislation in March of 2008 to make all-weather access roads to gravel sources outside of Tuk and Aklavik priorities. So far there is still no word on Aklavik's road to its gravel site.

Newly elected hamlet councillor Billy Emaghok said he is in favour of the road, although he is concerned about the quality of gravel at the site. He knows people who purchased gravel from the site in the 1990s who were disappointed with the product they received.

"The people who bought loads from that site weren't too happy with it because it was pretty well all sand," he said.

Quality is not his only concern. Emaghok said he is also going to ask Gruben to excuse himself from any further discussion at the next hamlet council meeting because he said the mayor's business stands to benefit greatly from any construction work in the community.

E. Gruben's Transport is one of the largest construction and logistics companies in the Delta.

Gruben said any contracts will be awarded through the Department of Transportation, not the hamlet. He said he has no idea if his company will be involved in the work.

"That's conflict so I can't comment on the Gruben's part," he said

No contracts for road construction have been awarded.

Gruben added there will be meetings in Inuvik to work out environmental assessment and permits on Jan. 15, 2009. He said if all goes well construction could begin as early as February.