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LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
The Mackenzie Valley Highway is now one step closer to becoming a reality.

David Ramsay, minister of Transportation presented the project description report for the portion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway planned for the Tulita region, on Nov. 30 in Norman Wells. - NNSL file photo

The project description report for the portion of the highway planned for the Tulita region was presented to David Ramsay, minister of Transportation, on Nov. 30 in Norman Wells.

It was compiled by 5658 NWT Ltd., an aboriginal organization established by the Tulita Land Corporation, Norman Wells Land Corporation, Fort Norman Metis Land Corporation and Tulita Dene Band.

This is the third such report that has been completed, leaving just two more to be finished before the Mackenzie Valley Highway can move into the regulatory process.

The five project description reports will be compiled into a single document for use during the highway's environmental assessment.

Ethel Blondin-Andrew, president of 5658 NWT Ltd., said the report took more than a year to put together.

"It's been a long, long time coming," she said.

It includes a review of all materials that exist for the project in the Tulita district, as well as engineering surveys and results of public consultations.

Now that the work has been done, Blondin-Andrew said, they will continue seeking public input in preparation for the environmental assessment phase.

"We're looking for greater community involvement. This (project description report) was very engineering specific," she said.

Support for the Mackenzie Valley Highway in the Sahtu settlement region is high, she said, and represents a significant capital investment.

"There are a lot of people that are excited, that see the possibilities," she said.

Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya said many people in the region were surprised and relieved to hear the project is one step closer to moving forward.

"People were saying they never thought they'd see this day here," he said. "We've come over a major hurdle, a milestone, that's good for us and good for the Northwest Territories."

The highway from Oscar Creek just north of Norman Wells to Blackwater River, in between Tulita and Wrigley, will cost an estimated $600 million, according to Blondin-Andrew, and the Bear River Bridge at Tulita will cost an estimated $60 million.

Five separate project description reports are being compiled first because the aboriginal groups between Wrigley and Tuktoyaktuk couldn't agree on portions of the project and all have separate land claims, according to Blondin-Andrew.

The Gwich'in, Tulita district and Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk portions of the highway all have completed reports now, and K'asho Got'ine (Fort Good Hope) and Pehdzeh Ki (Wrigley) aren't far behind, she said.

In a press release, Ramsay stated the report work shows the value of collaboration with aboriginal organizations.

"The decision to partner with aboriginal organizations along the proposed right-of-way helps ensure that local knowledge contributes significantly to the final report," he wrote.

"This approach helps ensure that the concerns and interests of the people in the Tulita District of the Sahtu Settlement Area are taken into account."

The construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway began in the 1970s when the portion between Fort Simpson and Wrigley was constructed. The distance between Wrigley and Inuvik is approximately 800-km long, and the final stretch between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk is 138-km long.

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