Mackenzie Valley Highway

Proponent

Government of the Northwest Territories

Sector

Transport

Location

Routing being developed, Wrigley to Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Proponent

Government of the Northwest Territories

Sector

Transport

Location

Routing being developed, Wrigley to Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Description

The Mackenzie Valley Highway will create a new all-season economic corridor up the Mackenzie Valley, while providing year-round connectivity to three currently isolated communities, and improving access to two additional communities by way of shorter construction periods for winter roads. The road will increase affordability and create new opportunities for inter-territorial and inter-provincial trade, economic development, community resupply, emergency response, and resource access. It also has the potential to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time between National Defence locations and facilities.

The proposed ~800 km all-season gravel road would pass through the traditional territories of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, and the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and will connect Wrigley to Tulita and Norman Wells in Phase 1 (~320 km), while Phase 2 will proceed north to Inuvik. Its route will pass near the communities of Tulita, Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope, all of which are currently only accessible by aircraft, barge and winter road.

This project, in conjunction with other major Northern Resilience Projects (such as the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion), will create significant opportunities for economic growth and resource development, improve life in isolated communities, enhance Canada’s sovereignty, and support an expanded military presence in the North.

Description

The Mackenzie Valley Highway will create a new all-season economic corridor up the Mackenzie Valley, while providing year-round connectivity to three currently isolated communities, and improving access to two additional communities by way of shorter construction periods for winter roads. The road will increase affordability and create new opportunities for inter-territorial and inter-provincial trade, economic development, community resupply, emergency response, and resource access. It also has the potential to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time between National Defence locations and facilities.

The proposed ~800 km all-season gravel road would pass through the traditional territories of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, and the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and will connect Wrigley to Tulita and Norman Wells in Phase 1 (~320 km), while Phase 2 will proceed north to Inuvik. Its route will pass near the communities of Tulita, Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope, all of which are currently only accessible by aircraft, barge and winter road.

This project, in conjunction with other major Northern Resilience Projects (such as the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion), will create significant opportunities for economic growth and resource development, improve life in isolated communities, enhance Canada’s sovereignty, and support an expanded military presence in the North.

Quick facts

Indigenous relations: The proponent is working closely with Indigenous governments and organizations, including through an MOU with the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated.
Transportation access: Will create a direct route from Yellowknife to Inuvik, reducing the distance by an estimated 1,200 km and travel time from 38 hours to roughly 23 hours.
Tourism: Will generate new tourism potential, creating a scenic loop through the Yukon with the Dempster Highway.

Benefits

Creates new opportunities for inter-territorial and inter-provincial trade, economic development, emergency response, and resource access.
Improves inter-community mobility, accessibility, emergency response, and stabilization of the cost of living.
Provides year-round access to three isolated communities: Tulita, Norman Wells, and Fort Good Hope.
Enhances Arctic sovereignty and security through improved safety, reliability, and resilience of the Northwest Territories and Yukon transportation systems in the face of climate change and extreme weather.
Generates new tourism potential, creating a scenic loop through the Yukon with the Dempster Highway.
Supports mineral and resource exploration activity in the Dehcho, Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions.
Potential to enhance connectivity between National Defence locations and facilities in the North.
Strengthens housing construction capacity, making it less costly to deliver materials and complete projects in northern communities.

Latest updates

On March 12, 2026, the project was referred to the Major Projects Office.
The Major Projects Office is working with the Government of the Northwest Territories to support and streamline relevant regulatory processes, assess project funding needs and determine funding solutions, and explore and identify opportunities to accelerate project development and construction timelines in collaboration with co-management boards, stakeholders, and Rights holders - including potentially impacted Indigenous governments and organizations.