Mr. Speaker, with the economy, environment, and climate change among the priorities identified by the 18th Legislative Assembly, the Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to highlight the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway construction project as a leading example of economic diversification and environmental stewardship.
YELLOWKNIFE (January 29, 2016) – To ensure the safety of all travelers crossing the Deh Cho Bridge, the Department of Transportation (DOT), in partnership with Northwestel, has installed two emergency telephones on the bridge, in clearly marked emergency call points. The call points are now fully functional and will remain open for public use for at least 20 years.
January 28, 2016 – OTTAWA, Ontario – Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety met today to advance key strategies for strengthening transportation in Canada, including unveiling a new plan to further improve road safety.
YELLOWKNIFE (January 27, 2016) – The Department of Transportation (DOT) is extending a pilot project for permits on 8 and 9 axle commercial vehicles. These permits allow commercial carriers to ship more weight per truck when travelling between Hay River and the mine sites north of Yellowknife.
The initial pilot project was a success, and the Department of Transportation is looking forward to continuing this partnership with the Tibbit to Contwoyto Winter Road Joint Venture.
INUVIK (January 19, 2015) - The third winter of construction is now underway on the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway to the Arctic coast in the Northwest Territories. This key piece of transportation infrastructure will create economic growth in the Beaufort Delta region by providing all-weather highway access to Tuktoyaktuk, which is currently only served by ice road, barge, and air.
YELLOWKNIFE (January 14, 2016) – In an effort to continuously improve safety and increase the efficiency of ice road construction in the Northwest Territories, the Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted an ice profiling workshop in Yellowknife on January 11 and 12.
Participants were introduced to recent advances in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology used to measure ice thickness when constructing ice roads. The workshop included a one day session of technical training and another spent in the field doing hands-on group exercises.
FORT SIMPSON (November 2, 2015) – The MV Lafferty (Liard River) Ferry on Highway 1 to Fort Simpson and the MV Johnny Berens (Mackenzie River) Ferry on Highway 1 to Wrigley have been placed on 72-hour notice of closure as of 0800 November 02, 2015.
The Department will continue to monitor water levels and ice conditions on a regular basis and will advise drivers should conditions change. Changes to water levels and ice conditions may warrant a sudden closure.
YELLOWKNIFE (October 16, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the contractor building the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH) have come to a confidential business agreement in accordance with the contract terms and conditions to continue construction on the highway. The agreement will not affect the overall project budget.
YELLOWKNIFE (October 15, 2015) –The Yellowknife Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office will be at a new location as of October 26, 2015. The office will be located on the ground floor of the new government building at 5015 49th Street. This move will take place over the weekend in order to avoid any interruption of service or inconvenience to the public.
Media Inquiries:
Mr. Speaker, the cost of energy is one of the leading contributors to the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories. Wherever possible, our government has been seeking opportunities to pass savings to our residents, and today I can report that the ongoing low wholesale price for heating fuel and gasoline has made it possible for the Department of Public Works and Services to pass on savings to residents in two of our smaller communities.
