November 4, 2014 – Inuvik, Northwest Territories – Infrastructure Canada
The second construction season of the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway is now underway. By the end of this winter, significant progress is expected on approximately 95 km of the highly anticipated 137-km all-season highway between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. Up to 600 people will be employed over the winter construction season with 70 per cent of workers expected to be northern residents.
This project is generating numerous socio-economic opportunities for the region. The new highway is the most northern section of the envisioned Mackenzie Valley Highway, which will connect Canada's road network from coast to coast to coast. It will decrease the cost of living in Tuktoyaktuk by enabling goods to be shipped by road year-round, increase opportunities for business development, reduce the cost of job-creating onshore oil and gas exploration, and strengthen Canada's sovereignty in the North.
This season will build on significant progress made during the past construction season. Last year, crews began construction on 120 km of new road bed at the north and south ends, moving over one million cubic metres of granular material.
"Entering into its second construction season, the new all-season highway continues to create jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity in the North. Our Government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that will have a direct impact on the regional economy here in the Northwest Territories and across Canada."
- The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Minister for the Arctic Council and Member of Parliament for Nunavut
"The Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway is a key part of northern plans for long-term economic development. It benefits all northerners by connecting remote northern communities, helping reduce the cost of living, enabling natural resource exploration and development, promoting scientific research, and supporting Canada's strong sovereignty claims. As the northern-most segment of an envisioned highway through the Mackenzie Valley, it is an important step in turning northern potential into national prosperity."
- The Honourable Tom Beaulieu, Minister of Transportation
Vincent Rabault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Megan Holsapple
Communications
Department of Transportation
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-873-7712
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada
