INUVIK
While the construction season is over, the work is ongoing for many people interested in the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway.

Kevin McLeod, director of highways for the territorial government, stands at the top of a large map of the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway at the ending of a summit for scientists and other experts April 20 at the community lounge. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

Scientists from across the country came to Inuvik last week to take part in a summit on project.

"It's more than a highway," said organizer Kevin McLeod, director of highways and marine for the Department of Transportation.

"To a lot of folks, it's a map, an article or a flyer that comes around, but seeing it, being here, it makes it real for them."

About 30 people - including scientists, academics, government representatives, and contractors - came to the summit, held April 20 and 21. Events culminated in an open house for the public.

While not many were present when the evening kicked off, McLeod said he hoped people would turn out for the opportunity to talk to experts about the project.

He noted that while some of the attendees have been involved in the highway since the beginning, others are new to the project.

"That's the best mix," McLeod said. "You don't want only people who know all about it to be there, you want to get a good mix of expertise and experience, so they can learn from each other."

While most of the researchers there weren't ready to report any results from their work, McLeod said the point of the conference - as well as its result - was better communication.

"Data-sharing is vital," he said.

"Everyone works better when they all work together."

He also noted that although Canada is big, the community of cold-weather engineers is quite small, and that it's important to keep the communication flowing.

Lukas Arenson is a consultant with BGC Engineering and an adjunct professor at the University of Manitoba. He is involved in a test section of the road and said the results of the research will likely be years coming.

"All this infrastructure, the changes we'll see in it because of climate change will be over a long period of time," he said.

"Things usually change slow with permafrost."

Still, he appreciated the opportunity to get together with other professionals and exchange ideas and findings.

"As an engineer, this is a pioneering project. We can learn a lot from it," Arenson said.