YELLOWKNIFE (February 24, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is leading research into innovative construction techniques that will reduce the effects of climate change on the northern transportation system. The GNWT is providing significant planning, logistics, construction and monitoring support, and the Government of Canada is providing $669,000 for this research under Transport Canada’s Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative.
“Permafrost degradation is affecting our highways and community airports,” said Minister of Transportation Tom Beaulieu. “Changes in ice conditions affect our winter roads, and low water conditions create challenges for ferry and community marine resupply operations. Our research and development program continues to bring together our experienced operational staff with engineers and scientists to test and develop cost-effective adaptation strategies.”
Two new projects along the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway will test alternate highway drainage structures and innovative techniques for reinforcing deep-fill road embankments. Continuous permafrost conditions in the Mackenzie Delta region make the highway an ideal location for this research, which continues to position Canada as a world leader in northern transportation research and development. These projects will be constructed during the winter of 2015 and monitored for several years.
The Department of Transportation is an active member of Transport Canada’s Network of Expertise on Permafrost and the Network of Expertise on Arctic Waters, which identify priority Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative research projects across the North. This research is focused on developing effective climate change mitigation strategies for northern transportation systems, and is carried out collaboratively between governments, the engineering community and academia. Previous research in the NWT included climate change vulnerability assessments of highways and airport runways, as well as projections of future water levels in the Mackenzie River corridor.
The department’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan sets a framework for ongoing adaptation initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the transportation system, including ongoing research. Green Light, DOT’s environmental strategy, continues to drive the department’s mitigation activities. Ongoing climate change research also benefits transportation and community infrastructure across the circumpolar north.
Media inquiries:
Megan Holsapple
Manager of Communications
Department of Transportation, GNWT
Tel: (867) 873-7712
Email: megan_holsapple@gov.nt.ca