Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly are calling for the territorial and federal governments to commit to the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
The Mackenzie Valley Highway has been an important infrastructure project in the NWT since its construction initially began in 1972, with a 18km segment of the highway from Fort Simpson to Wrigley completed in 1994; but since then, construction has come to a halt.
The GNWT has focused on studies and planning concerning the feasibility of the next segment, stretching from Wrigley to Norman Wells. However, MLAs for the Sahtu, Mackenzie Delta and Nahendeh regions are calling for them to commit to constructing the highway, rather than allowing the project to be further delayed.
“The Mackenzie Valley Highway is more than gravel and bridges; it is a lifeline that binds Nahendeh, Sahtu and Mackenzie Delta to the heart of Canada,” said Shane Thompson, MLA for Nahendeh.
Once completed the highway would span from Wrigley to Inuvik, creating a continuous road corridor from the Southern Canada to the Beaufort Sea, and provide year –round road access to northern communities.
“For our young people, the Mackenzie Valley Highway represents connection and opportunity,” said George Nerysoo, MLA for Mackenzie Delta. “It reduces isolation, lowers the cost of living, and provides access to jobs, education, and services while respecting our cultures and relationship with the land.”
Daniel McNeely, MLA for Sahtu also says that this project is increasingly important in this time of uncertainty regarding arctic security.
“The Mackenzie Valley Highway is about asserting Canadian sovereignty at a time when our Arctic faces unprecedented international attention,” said McNeely. “This project unlocks access to our mineral and energy resources while creating real opportunities for our people. This is infrastructure that serves both the national interest and Northern communities.”
