The Government of Canada has announced that they will be investing up to $49.5 million towards the modernization of the Inuvik Airport.
“Inuvik Airport is a critical hub that supports emergency response, wildfire operations, medical evacuations, and the delivery of essential supplies,” said Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience Eleanor Olszewski.
The investment will be used to upgrade existing runways at the airport with consistent paved surfaces, as well as replace the access road with an asphalt one. This will allow the airport to support heavier traffic and larger cargo volumes, allowing Inuvik to become a stronger transportation and logistics hub for the North.
“This investment will strengthen the airport’s capacity to serve the region, support operational readiness, and advance Canada’s defence, security and sovereignty objectives in the North,” said Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon.
This is the federal government’s first investment through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, a $1 billion project to create and expand dual-use transportation infrastructure in the North.
The investment also builds on a $230 million investment from the Department of National Defence to extend and modernize the airport’s runways, which was reaffirmed by Prime Minister Carney earlier this year.
“As activity across the North continues to grow, investments like this one are essential to ensure the infrastructure is in place to meet increasing demand safely and efficiently,” said Minister Rebecca Alty.
Together, these investments will strengthen the airport, lower transportation costs in the North, and help strengthen the North’s economy by creating more opportunities for individuals and businesses.
Inuvik is one of seven sites selected for the Northern Operational Support Hubs Program, alongside Yellowknife, Iqaluit, and others.
