After one of its latest starts in recent years, the Dettah ice road is now open for the season.
The territory’s Department of Transportation confirmed Friday that the road is open to vehicles weighing up to 5,000 kilograms.
The opening comes a day earlier than expected, but still marks the latest opening the ice road has seen since 1999.
The 15-year average opening date has been Dec. 21. Last year, it opened on Jan. 2.
The relatively mild start to winter is to blame for the late start, with crews only receiving the green light to begin construction on Wednesday.
#DettahIceRoad officially opened to vehicles up to 5,000 kilograms. Please drive carefully and obey the posted speed limit. #NWT
— GNWT/GTNO Infrastructure (@GNWT_INF) January 6, 2017
