Check against delivery.

Mr. Speaker, a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation network is essential to connecting Northwest Territories residents and communities, supporting economic activity, and ensuring access to essential goods and services.

As part of the 2026 summer construction season, the Government of the Northwest Territories invested approximately $140 million in highway infrastructure improvements across the territory. This annual program helps maintain and strengthen our transportation network while supporting local employment and economic opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, several key projects were initiated and completed this summer. These include chipseal overlay work on Highway No. 1, Highway No. 3, Highway No. 4, and the Dettah Access Road, as well as highway resurfacing and repair work on Highway No. 8. Highway rehabilitation work was completed at different sections of Highways No. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10, and the Liard Access Road. Crews also completed aggregate crushing work to support future highway improvement programs and carried out the annual cleaning of the Deh Cho Bridge.

Several major bridge projects also reached important milestones this year. The new Jean Marie River Bridge on Highway No. 1 was completed and opened to traffic in July. In September, the new Redknife River Bridge opened to the public, with final project work continuing into spring 2027. This project replaces three large culverts that had previously restricted water flow and fish passage and was completed in partnership with, and funding from DeBeers Canada. Construction also continued on the new Dehk’è Frank Channel Bridge, which remains on schedule to open to traffic in late 2027, with removal of the existing bridge planned for 2028.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the excavator in the room. 

Due to geotechnical challenges and slope failure during roadway widening work near Pontoon Lake outside of Yellowknife, both a dump truck and subsequently an excavator overturned and were partially submerged in the lake. While not initially included in our summer construction program, our crews worked to realign a short section of the Ingraham Trail onto stable bedrock to improve long-term road performance and reliability, as well as to install guardrails to improve driver safety.

All these projects help improve driving conditions, extend the service life of critical transportation assets, and ensure residents, businesses, and visitors can travel safely and reliably throughout the territory. Continued investment in highway infrastructure also supports the long-term sustainability of our transportation system and contributes to stronger, more connected communities.

Mr. Speaker, while the summer construction season is drawing to a close, preparations are already underway for the upcoming winter road season.

The Department of Infrastructure is responsible for safely constructing, maintaining, and operating more than 1,300 kilometres of winter roads, ice roads, and ice crossings, connecting ten communities not linked to the all-season highway system. Preparing these routes requires months of planning and ongoing monitoring of weather conditions, ice thickness, and snowpack levels. Crews regularly measure ice growth, clear snow to accelerate freezing, and, when necessary, flood road surfaces to build additional ice and strengthen crossings before routes can be safely opened to traffic. As the season progresses, crews continue to monitor ice conditions and load-bearing capacity to determine when restrictions or closures are necessary to maintain public safety.

These seasonal transportation corridors play a critical role in supporting northern supply chains and community resupply efforts. Each year, they facilitate the movement of fuel, cargo, construction materials, and other essential goods to communities across the territory. Their reliable operation helps reduce transportation costs and ensures communities can receive the supplies they need throughout the winter season. These routes also provide residents with a more affordable means of travelling between communities. This allows families and relatives to reconnect, supporting social and cultural ties across the North.

I would like to extend my thanks to both our summer construction crews and our winter road crews for their hard work season after season. It is because of their hard work that our transportation system remains reliable and adaptable for all travellers despite the challenges we face this far up North.

Mr. Speaker, our commitment to connectivity extends beyond the territorial highway system. Through the Community Access Program, our government allocates $1.5 million annually to community-led transportation infrastructure projects, including access roads, trails, and marine facilities. This program helps to improve local transportation networks and access to important sites outside community boundaries. It also helps to build capacity and provide short-term training and employment opportunities for community residents.

Mr. Speaker, these investments reflect our ongoing commitment to building and maintaining a safe, reliable, and resilient transportation system across the Northwest Territories. Through continued improvements to all-season highways, winter roads, ice crossings, and community access infrastructure, we are strengthening connections between communities, supporting economic development, and improving access to essential services, cultural activities, and traditional lands. Together, these investments help ensure residents, businesses, and communities can rely on a transportation network that supports their needs today and into the future.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.