This is a joint news release with the Government of Yukon and Vuntut Gwitchin Government (VGG).
Last week the Old Crow winter road opened to restricted traffic. The road will help move materials into the community to support infrastructure projects in the coming years, including the new Health and Wellness Centre, a 10-plex housing unit and the Old Crow Elders Complex.
The road spans 280 kilometres from Eagle Plains to Old Crow. The road will not be publicly accessible and the Vuntut Gwitchin Government (VGG) will control access.
The Government of Yukon and VGG have been working closely together to ensure the success of this important project. VGG is managing the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of the road.
The road will remain open until mid-March depending on the weather. Plans are in the works for building another winter road next year and continue to bring in materials for future infrastructure projects.
Thanks to our partnership with Vuntut Gwitchin Government, this project will help move materials into Old Crow for critical community infrastructure projects. This is a great example of how two governments with similar priorities can work together to serve our communities.
The winter road follows one of the traditional routes used by our Gwich’in ancestors. For the next several weeks, trucks will use the road to haul many tons of material to Old Crow as part of a major collaborative effort by our two governments. The road is an essential step to building new housing and improved healthcare infrastructure in our community that will dramatically improve the lives of the Vuntut Gwitchin, especially our Elders.
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This is the first time since 2014 that Old Crow has been accessible by road.
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It will take trucks approximately 8 to 12 hours to travel between Eagle Plains and Old Crow.
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The Government of Yukon is providing funding for the project of $5.1 million for construction of the winter road in 2022 and 2023. This includes $2.5 million for 2021–22 and $2.6 million for 2022–23.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Madison Guthrie
Communications, Highways and Public Works
867-332-4847
madison.guthrie@yukon.ca
Gyde Shepherd
Communications Manager, Vuntut Gwitchin Government
613-804-4273
gyde.shepherd@vgfn.net