DEH CHO - Construction signs will be a common sight on both of the Deh Cho's highways this summer.

A large culvert that's being replaced with a bridge at km 226 on Highway 7 is one of the projects that's taking place on the Deh Cho's highways this year. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The Department of Transportation plans to spend more than $6 million on projects in the Deh Cho this year. The bulk of the money is being used on Highway 7, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communication with the department.

Highway 7, also known as the Liard Trail, will benefit from a $4-million investment. A portion of the money will be used for a chipsealing project beginning at the British Columbia border, stretching north 20 kilometres. Money has also been allocated for reconstruction work from km 105 to 107. That section of the highway is one of the sites causing problems in recent years, Blacklock said.

Preparation work will also be underway this summer for reconstruction of priority areas of the highway, scheduled to take place next year, he said. A geo-technical investigation from km 20 to 38 will be part of that process.

While Highway 7 is being examined work will done simultaneously on Highway 1.

The remainder of a chipseal project started last summer will be completed this year, said Blacklock. The contractor ran out of time in the season to complete the 70 kilometres of chipseal that started at the junction of Highways 1 and 3 and ran towards Fort Simpson. Thirty remaining kilometres from km 230 to 260 have to be finished this summer.

The money to finish the chipsealing has been carried over from last year. In addition, $2 million will be spent on crushing projects and safety improvements including guardrail placements, Blacklock said.

Kirby Groat, the president of the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce, is optimistic about the department's work plans for the season.

"We're still hoping to see more but that is a very promising start," he said.

The chamber is distributing a petition it formed with the assistance of Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche. The petition asks for funding to rebuild the Liard Trail to be included in next year's budget.

The petition began two weeks ago in Fort Simpson and has also been circulated in Fort Liard and Jean Marie River.

"It's been well received by everyone around here," Groat said.

Pressing for improvements to the Liard Trail is one of the chamber's primary goals.

"We're down to no tourism out of it," said Groat.

The condition of the highway, which is deterring both individual tourists and tour buses, is affecting not only Fort Liard and Fort Simpson but also the rest of the NWT including Yellowknife and Hay River. Tourists want to be able to leave the territory on a different route than the one they came in on, Groat said.

Groat would also like to see more work done on Highway 1 including having its entire length chipsealed.

"It's time to get that road finished," he said.

In addition to the $6 million in capital work the department is also undertaking other projects in the Deh Cho this season.

The second phase of a lighting project on the Fort Simpson access road and Highway 1 at the village will be done. Five streetlights have already been installed along the roadway and more will be placed as far as the entrance to Four Mile, said Blacklock. Drainage improvements and a guardrail replacement will also be done on the village's access road.

Other projects in the Deh Cho include work on the winter roads and work on culverts in various locations.

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