With four more Inuvik streets paved with asphalt this season, Rick Campbell is looking at making a plan for next year's battery of development.

Campbell, director of public services for the Town of Inuvik, said that a working plan will be drafted this winter season to prepare for next summer's work.

Foreman Cliff Knoblock, left, and Allan Killen are two members of the Skookum Asphalt crew that have been paving the streets of Inuvik. The Whitehorse-based company has been paving and patching roads for the Town of Inuvik for the last seven years. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

"Once the summer is over, we will make a plan for next year's paving," said Campbell.

Campbell said that Kugmallit and Raven were the two streets paved this season. Work was completed on Dolphin Street and the west end of Inuit Road was started.

"We started work on Inuit Road, but only from Centennial to Raven street," said Campbell.

Skookum Asphalt, based in Whitehorse, Yukon, is doing the work.

Campbell said the Town of Inuvik awarded Skookum a five-year contract to pave the streets, starting in 2004.

Prior to the five-year deal, the Town had hired the Yukon company to patch roads.

"We've been working with them for seven years now on a few different projects," said Campbell.

Skookum Asphalt manager Darrell Stone said the company has done both hot and cold mixes of asphalt for the town.

In the past, Inuvik streets have been patched with cold mix, but Stone explained that the mix is only for maintenance use and works temporarily.

"Cold mix is a dust control product that is really only for maintenance," said Stone.

The hot mix is a better fix for Inuvik, said Stone.

"The hot mix is made in the plant at the driving range," he said.

"It is a long term product that can withstand more traffic and harsher weather conditions."

Stone said that hot mix has a lifespan of 15-20 years back in Whitehorse, but there is no speculation as to how long the product will last in Inuvik.

"We don't have permafrost there, so the scenario is different," said Stone.

Stone said that he and Campbell drive the streets of Inuvik at the end of every paving season.

"We look around to identify what roads should be worked on for the following year," said Stone.

"It helps us get a better understanding of the situation and what needs to be done."

Stone said that his crew of six men make their annual trip up the Dempster highway with their equipment in mid-June.

"We wait until after the petroleum show is done, so we have a place to stay," said Stone.

The crew then stays in town for a period of three to four weeks, depending on weather and the size of the job that needs to be done.

"We also offer private contracts for parking lots and driveways," said Stone.

Stone added that his crew uses local businesses and hires crew workers from in town whenever possible.

Stone said that once the Inuvik project is done for the season, they move back to home base and complete other tasks.

"We have other operations in the Yukon as well," said Stone.