NWT Rock Services Ltd. was blasting away rock outcrop along Highway 3 in January as part of ongoing road construction. - NNSL file photo

Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 13/05) - Road construction work on Highway 3 will resume once the frost thaws, according to an NWT Department of Transportation official.

"We're progressing in accordance with our long-range plans to finish Highway 3 by October, 2005," Kevin McLeod, director of highways said.

RTL Robinson Enterprises Ltd. is currently waiting for the frost to thaw to begin work again.

Last few kilometres

"They will then finish up the last few kilometres in the project," McLeod said.

McLeod said the work is on target, on schedule and on budget.

Meanwhile, spring weather means havoc on the roads as they continually change and shift.

"That's what is causing the dips, bumps and potholes and our crews have been working 24/7 to make sure we still provide a safe corridor," McLeod said.

More than 8,000 large trucks heading out onto the ice road to the mines also pounded the road over the winter.

McLeod said once construction resumes, there will be more rock outcrops to level out and blast. "Survey crews will be out in the next month or so," he said.

McLeod said there is another 40km or so which will complete the road work to Boundary Creek. "It will then connect to the last chip seal part on the highway.

"And that will be finished in October," McLeod said.