Canada and Yukon to improve Dawson Range and Nahanni Range roads

The Canadian and Yukon governments have agreed to provide federal and territorial funding totalling more than C$360m ($290m) for improving road access to the Dawson Range in central Yukon and the Nahanni Range Road in south-eastern Yukon.

The Dawson Range and Nahanni Range are considered to be two mineral rich areas in the Yukon region.

As part of the road improvements programme, four separate public road systems in the Dawson Range will be upgraded, while the Nahanni Range road improvement works will be carried out from its junction with the Campbell Highway to the border between Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "Modern infrastructure is key to developing and properly managing the incredible natural resources we have at our fingertips.

"The Resource Gateway is one of the most significant projects ever undertaken in this territory and will have an incredibly positive impact on the Yukon economy."

“By providing easier access to important resources across Yukon, the Yukon Resource Gateway Project will help create good, middle-class jobs, promote long-term economic prosperity, and support a strong, sustainable north.”

Funding has been provided by the Canadian Government in order to support the Yukon Resource Gateway project, which will help in upgrading more than 650km of the road and build or replace numerous bridges, culverts and stream crossings.

For this project, the national government will provide C$247m ($199m) through the New Building Canada Fund-National Infrastructure Component, and the Yukon government will be fund C$112m ($90.3m).

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver said: "The Resource Gateway is one of the most significant projects ever undertaken in this territory and will have an incredibly positive impact on the Yukon economy."