Highway 8 to temporarily close between Northwest Territories and Yukon

Public Service Announcement

Yellowknife — October 29, 2020

The Government of the Northwest Territories advises that Highway 8 (The Dempster Highway) will temporarily close to all traffic between kilometre 1 and 14.2 once ferries stop operating for the season.  Both ferries are currently on notice and could close within days, depending upon conditions.

Travellers are advised to complete the movement of essential goods and services prior to the closure.

The intent is to re-open the highway once ice crossings open for the season. Until that time, drivers are advised to use Highway 1 to enter or leave the territory.

While Highway 8 has remained open in previous years during the changeover, the highway is being closed this year in light of COVID-19, as GNWT border patrol staff cannot easily access certain sections of highway with the ferries out of service.

The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories has made this order under the Public Highways Act to support the Chief Public Health Officer’s response to COVID-19.

Drivers are reminded that it is unsafe and illegal to drive on a closed highway. Only emergency, enforcement, and construction vehicles are exempted from the closure. Please obey all traffic signs and barricades.

For up-to-date information on ferry closures and other highway information, visit this page.

For information about COVID-19 travel restrictions within the NWT, visit this page.

 

For media requests related to COVID-19 Contact:

Public Affairs and Communications

Department of Infrastructure

Government of the Northwest Territories

INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca