Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

FORT SMITH - The idea of chipsealing the unpaved section of Highway 5 to Fort Smith has once again been moved to the front burner.

Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger said Parks Canada has relabelled Highway 5 in Wood Buffalo National Park as a through highway.

Equipment works to maintain the unpaved section of Highway 5 to Fort Smith in this photo from 2004. - NNSL file photo

That's important because it means federal funding can now become available to help the GNWT with capital projects - such as chipsealing - and operation and maintenance.

Miltenberger called it a "very significant milestone" towards chipsealing.

Of the 108 kilometre of unpaved highway, 103 kilometre are in the park.

Miltenberger noted the GNWT has covered the total cost of maintaining the road through the park for decades.

The MLA said the GNWT and Parks Canada can now negotiate a funding arrangement, and he hopes chipsealing can begin by next summer.

"Now we have an opportunity here to make some progress on Highway 5," he said.

Federal, territorial, municipal and First Nations politicians talked about funding for chipsealing and operation and maintenance at a July 5 meeting in Fort Smith.

Ed Coulthard, the superintendent of Wood Buffalo National Park, confirmed the change of the road's status allows Parks Canada to enter into a funding agreement with the GNWT.

"My primary goal is to get an agreement for O&M/capital projects by next April," Coulthard said.

Territorial Transportation Minister Kevin Menicoche is optimistic about Parks Canada's change of designation for Highway 5.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for chipsealing all of Highway 5 in the long run," he said.

The minister said he would like to see Parks Canada provide 100 per cent funding for the section of the route in Wood Buffalo, noting it does so for through highways in other national parks in southern Canada.

"Our stance is why would they treat us any differently," he said.

However, Menicoche noted the federal agency has not committed to full funding and the level of support will be negotiated.

Previously, the highway was officially considered an access road by Parks Canada.

Coulthard said everyone is hopeful the highway will be chipsealed, but noted when that might happen is subject to funding and the priorities of the GNWT. Plus, he noted such projects take time to plan and design.

While researching the issue, the park found there was a 1969 agreement under which the park was to fund a share of the highway's operation and maintenance. For some unknown reason, the agreement was never implemented.

Other federal government funding is being eyed to help improve the highway.

Mayor Peter Martselos said $25 million in one-time infrastructure funding is coming to the NWT from Ottawa.

Martselos would like to see some of the money used to chipseal at least part of the highway's unpaved section.

"If we do 20 kilometres, I'd be happy," he said.

However, he noted the criteria for spending the federal money is still unclear.

Martselos would also like the territorial government to do some chipsealing every year for the next five years.

The mayor estimated chipsealing the whole unpaved section would cost at least $13 million.

The July 5 meeting was also attended by Menicoche, Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington and Salt River First Nation Acting Chief Mike Beaver.

Martselos said Highway 5 chipsealing is important for Fort Smith, especially for tourism.