Territorial government to fix roads with help from feds
$96 million to be spent on road and highway upgrades across the NWT over the next four years
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, August 3, 2015
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Motorists in the NWT should soon start enjoying a smoother, safer ride after the federal and territorial governments last week announced that $96 million will be spent to upgrade and enhance roads and highways in the NWT.
Construction crews prepare for blasting work along the Dettah access road on July 29. The federal and territorial governments announced on Monday that $96 million will be spent over the next four years to upgrade roads and highways in the NWT, including $6 million to reconstruct the only all-weather road to Dettah. - John McFadden/NNSL photo |
The announcement was made jointly at a news conference at the legislative assembly on July 27 by Ontario MP Colin Carrie, on behalf of Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Premier Bob McLeod, Transportation Minister Tom Beaulieu and Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).
The individual components of the project were strategically selected to improve safety, extend the life of roads and to support economic growth, job creation and stronger communities, according to a news release from the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).
Infrastructure development is a vital part of our future as a territory and as a country, stated the premier.
"Moving our vast natural resources to market requires significant and ongoing contributions from our federal partners," McLeod stated. "Investments in transportation infrastructure, including improvements to existing highways, contribute to the economic prosperity of the NWT, lower the cost of living and improve the lives of our residents."
But more work will need to be done, said the premier, adding that the GNWT is finalizing additional submissions to the federal government.
"Projects include improvements to community and regional airports, bridge rehabilitation and replacements and safety enhancements in extending the winter road system," McLeod said.
Beaulieu said that a lot of people will benefit from the road upgrades.
"We're covering every highway from the very south up to the Dempster. When you spend $96 million it does have significant positive impacts on employment and the quality of living," Beaulieu said. "At some point it will also decrease the cost of living."
Sean Whelly, mayor of Fort Simpson welcomed the funding announcement and said that it should help fix the rough Mackenzie and Liard Highways.
"It will help resource development activities take off and tourism as well. We are a jumping off point for Nahanni National Park," Whelly said. "Quite a bit of work is needed to upgrade (the highways) to a point where motor homes can use it without tearing half of their chassis off and having their vehicles wrecked by the time they get here."
It's never enough money though, said Whelly who thinks money spent on one highway project in the NWT was not done wisely.
"The $200-million project that was expended on the Tuk highway was more political than economic reality," Whelly said. "It wasn't justifiable from a resource development point of view or a real economic business case. I always thought that money should have gone into the Mackenzie highway first."
Motorists will see delays on highways but they should not be too inconvenienced, said Kevin McLeod. director of highways for the territorial government's Department of Transportation (DOT).
"We don't get that many vehicles on the road so we don't get backups of 40 minutes or so like they do when there is construction on the 401 (in Ontario). Folks will have zones where they have to slow down for a construction zone. They'll either be flagged around or they'll be escorted around or they'll just have to slow down and drive by it," McLeod said.
McLeod said that there is work already underway, crews are out on the highway and drivers should be aware of that.
"Give them space and slow down. There is no rush between here and Behchoko, they don't have to rush to make the ferry now. My advice is take your time and enjoy the drive," McLeod said. He pointed out that speeding fines double in construction zones for good reason.
"That came after a number of deaths and serious injuries caused by drivers speeding through construction zones. You've got to respect that the worker is trying to do their job," McLeod said.
Another road upgrade project was announced at the same news conference but the time frame for its competition is closer to ten years. The highway corridors project will examine options for extending the season for winter roads used to supply the diamond mines. The goal is to eventually have all-weather roads to the mines that would not require any ice crossings.
McLeod said work is already underway on several NWT roads adding that DOT has had an indication for some time now that the funding would be forthcoming.
"We only have a 109-day construction season from May to September," McLeod said. "The pomp and ceremony of the funding announcement came on July 27 but we've been at it since May."
Highway repairs
Hwy 1: km 187 to 690, Hwy 3 junction to Wrigley ($14 million)
Reconstruction priorities focus on deteriorating sections of roadway between km 375 to 395 and 207 to 230 to support industry and tourism
Hwy 2: km 8 and 11, Enterprise to Hwy 5 junction ($3 million)
Project will realign highway away from the Hay River and limit severity of flooding and reduce highway maintenance costs
Hwy 3: km 239 to 339, Behchoko to Yellowknife ($18 million)
The section, the only route south from Yellowknife, will receive strengthening and drainage improvements to provide safe operating surface
Hwy 4: km 40 to 55, Prelude Lake to Cameron Falls parking lot ($8 million)
The Ingraham Trail will receive resurfacing, drainage improvement and chipseal to improve safety and ride quality
Hwy 6: km 28 to 62, Hwy 5 junction to Fort Resolution ($17 million)
Sections of the highway are weak and vulnerable to damage during spring thaw; drainage, ditches, widening and chipsealing are priorities
Hwy 7: km 0 to 254, B.C. border to Hwy 1 junction ($12 million)
Work will include widening, strengthening, drainage improvement, guardrail placement and chipseal surfacing while focusing on narrow and distressed areas
Hwy 8: km 0 to 272, Yukon border to Inuvik ($18 million)
Reconstruction work on the Dempster Highway will improve surface and safety conditions
b
Reconstruction and chipsealing will be done to improve the only all-weather road into the community
Source: Dept. of Transportation
