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Profiles of projects in the Yukon
Freegold Road upgrades
Project location: Carmacks, Yukon
This project involves improvements to roads where there is significant mining activity. The improvements include widening the road in specific areas and other upgrades.
"Through this investment, we are enhancing Yukon's competitiveness and our ability to access the global market,
" said Dennis Fentie, Yukon Premier.
Federal contribution: $34,586
Facilitating Economic Development
Project location: Mayo, Yukon
When Jack McQuesten and his wife, Kate, arrived in the area in the late 1800s to set up a trading post, Mayo was about to become the latest gold and silver boom town in North America. Always an astute businessman, McQuesten provided prospectors with just about everything they needed to look for precious metals in the region.
Now, interest in resource exploration and production in the area is once again bringing renewed vitality to Mayo.
To facilitate the movement of vehicles and equipment for the companies working in the area, South McQuesten Road out of Mayo needed work. The Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works agreed and applied to the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Improving infrastructure conditions for companies that could bring another wave of prosperity to the area made good economic sense.
Local contractors rebuilt the sub-grade of the gravel road, refinished its surface, cleared out ditches and brush bordering the road, and installed new culverts.
Exploration crews using Jack McQuesten’s namesake road now have a greatly improved travel corridor that has reduced their transportation costs and improved their efficiency in getting to sites of interest.
Federal contribution: $49,335
Getting Yukon's Ore to Market
Investment in Yukon Access Roads
Project location: Nahanni Range Road, Watson Lake, Yukon
Canada's Yukon has one of the largest tungsten deposits in the world. Tungsten is a hard metal used in products from wedding rings to electrical uses. Getting this valuable mineral to market is critical to growing Canada's share of the world tungsten market.
In Yukon, tungsten and other ores move by truck over hundreds of kilometres of access roads. One of these is the Nahanni Range Road, which connects Watson Lake to a tungsten mine 200 kilometres away.
The Yukon Government helps resource companies develop or upgrade these access roads. During 2009-10, eight roads were slated for improvement, thanks in part to a federal contribution of almost $45,000 through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
The Nahanni project improved the road's safety and reliability by strengthening the roadbed, improving drainage and surfacing with suitable grading material.
The improvements also provide better access for residents, mine workers and other companies seeking to develop Yukon's abundant natural resources.
Federal contribution: $44,280
Gentian Lane Reconstruction
Project location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Communities across Yukon are benefitting from road reconstruction, highway upgrades and bridge rehabilitation carried out with contributions from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
For example, Whitehorse, Yukon's capital and the territory's business and supply centre, benefitted from the Gentian Lane reconstruction project.
This project, made possible in part by an almost $85,000 joint federal-territorial contribution, transformed a non-standard road into an integral part of the local transportation network.
The work, completed in October 2009, involved clearing, ditching, building the sub-grade and finishing with suitable grading material.
The upgrading brings the road up to current safety standards and reduces maintenance requirements.
"This project provided economic benefits for all the contractors involved," says Archie Lang, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Government of Yukon. "Residents served by the road were also very pleased with the upgrades."
Federal contribution: $42,882
Kusawa Lake Road Reconstruction
Project location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Kusawa Lake Road reconstruction and upgrading in Whitehorse will bring the road to acceptable safety standards.
The work includes road resurfacing, ditching and culvert installation. With these improvements, the road will become an integral part of the local transportation network for residents, tourists and businesses.
"The widened road can now accommodate a snow plough and there is better drainage following the installation of culverts. Improved access and better traction on this road has made it safer for residents and tourists," says Dan Profeit, Project Manager for the Government of Yukon.
Federal contribution: $21,000
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