Old Crow MLA asks for winter road

The MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin is asking the Yukon government for a winter road to Old Crow.

Liberal Darius Elias reminded MLAs this week that he had tabled a private member’s motion asking the Highways and Public Works minister to build a winter road connecting Old Crow to the Dempster Highway.

"A winter road would bring tangible benefits to residents, governments and companies doing business in the area," Elias said.

"Some of these include the ability to bring in bulk building materials for housing and other projects, as well as bulk loads of fuel. There would be a chance to bring in private vehicles, large household items, and remove old equipment and contaminated waste, not to mention industry achieving their goals as well."

Highways and Public Works minister Wade Istchenko responded that he has been speaking with his department about the issue.  Istchenko said he's willing to work with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation to talk about the feasibility of such a road.

Old Crow is the northernmost community in Yukon, and the territory’s only community that does not have road access.