Proposal studied to connect Manitoba and Nunavut

Right now, northern Manitoba is a vast wilderness with few roads.

But one day, that could change.

The federal government has announced a study to look into building a road to connect Manitoba and Nunavut.

The northernmost existing highway is more than 300 kilometres from the Nunavut border. It would be a monumental project to build a road to the Arctic.

Susan McLennan of Transport Canada says it's far too early to talk about the details.

"It's premature to talk about that because it is just at the study phase," says McLennan. "It will look at a winter road initially."

McLennan says the Manitoba-Nunavut Route Selection Study will develop the criteria that will be used to evaluate possible routes.

"The study itself is expected to begin in January and will take approximately two years to complete," states McLennan. "It will include a series of public consultations. Some socio-economic and preliminary environmental reviews. It will result in a selection of the best route for possible development."

The project was first announced two years ago.