The North Klondike Highway continues to see strategic investments with $180 million in funding announced today by Canada’s Minister of Transportation Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell and Yukon’s Minister of Highways and Public Works Nils Clarke.
The North Klondike Highway is a vital link that connects Whitehorse to several Yukon communities and important resource development areas. This funding will support the second phase of a long-term plan to upgrade this important highway between Whitehorse and Dawson City. The project will result in improved road safety, increased resilience to the impacts of climate change, the removal of seasonal weight restrictions for heavy trucks and increased economic opportunities for Yukoners.
I am excited to be investing in this important transportation link alongside my federal colleagues. This investment will address the transportation needs of Yukon communities by improving highway safety and road conditions, as well as bolstering economic opportunities including resource development and trade. This support will also make the North Klondike Highway more resilient in the face of thawing permafrost, reducing maintenance and remediation costs in the future.
Minister of Highways and Public Works Nils Clarke
The Government of Canada has committed to contributing $135 million to the project through the National Trade Corridors Fund. The Government of Yukon is contributing $45 million for a total of $180 million.
This funding is for phase two of upgrades to the North Klondike Highway. In 2019, the governments of Yukon and Canada announced $157 million in funding to reconstruct, rehabilitate, replace, and resurface critical portions of the highway between Carmacks and the Dempster Highway cutoff.
Reconstruction of the North Klondike Highway between Whitehorse and the Silver Trail will remove weight restrictions for legal loads year-round, meaning consistent and more reliable access to goods and services.
The North Klondike Highway is a key access route for over 50 per cent of Yukoners who live outside of Whitehorse.
Portions of the funding will also go to further implementing innovative technologies such as digital highway signs and electric vehicle charging stations.
The National Trade Corridors Fund aims to address transportation issues including those unique to Canada’s north.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Krysten Johnson
Communications, Highways and Public Works
867-332-4272
krysten.johnson@yukon.ca