Northwest Territories residents benefit from safer, more efficient transportation systems

News Release

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, October 30, 2017—Modern public infrastructure is key to supporting the unique needs of northern communities. Investing in transportation infrastructure, including four-season highways and well maintained resource road networks, creates stronger communities, attracts new investment and helps businesses efficiently move products to market.

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure for the Northwest Territories, today marked significant progress on the construction of a series of major roads and highways in the region.

The group of highway improvement projects include 21 components that focus on repairing aged roads and improving existing transportation infrastructure across the Territories. Work involves the rehabilitation of nine bridges, upgrades to seven major highways, all-season roads, and the construction of a four-bay highway maintenance facility on Highway #8.

To date, workers have reconstructed 136.2 kilometres, resurfaced 133.5 kilometres and repair work on three bridges is ongoing. Once complete, these projects will improve safety, access, and traffic flow for residents, tourists and commercial drivers.

Quotes

“Enhancing the transportation network in Canada’s North will help grow local economies, build stronger, more inclusive communities, and improve the safety of the travelling public. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects, such as these road improvements, that make a real difference in people’s daily lives.”

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Improving and extending our highways system helps connect communities, reduces the cost of living, improves the resiliency of our transportation system to climate change, and increases access to natural resources. Through our partnership with Canada, we have been able to make improvements to almost every highway in the Northwest Territories in the past two years. Significant and meaningful investment in infrastructure is critical to the development of our territory. We look forward to continuing to work with the Federal government to advance projects that will have long-lasting impact on Northerners.”

The Honourable Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Canada is contributing up to $72 million towards the Highway Improvement Projects through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects and more than $75.7 million through the Small Communities Fund.

  • The Government of the Northwest Territories is contributing over $49.8 million to these projects. 

  • The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

  • More than $10.1 billion of this funding will support trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

  • $2 billion of this funding will support infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. This funding also includes the $400-million Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories. 

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Contacts

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca

Greg Hanna
Communications Coordinator
Department of Infrastructure
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-767-9082 ext. 31046
greg_hanna@gov.nt.ca
@GNWT_INF

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

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