Yukon, feds to spend $78M on infrastructure projects

The Yukon and federal governments have announced money for some major infrastructure projects across the territory, including the replacement of Yukon's last wooden bridge on a major highway.

In all, the two governments will spend $78 million on 17 projects. Three quarters of that money ($58 million) is coming from the federal government, while the rest is from the territory.

The biggest-ticket items are the replacement of the wooden Nares River Bridge in Carcross ($12.7 million), the rehabilitation of the Nisutlin Bay Bridge in Teslin ($16.9 million) and Campbell Highway reconstruction work, near Watson Lake ($10.4 million).

Other projects involve improvements to runways, sewage plants and other roads and bridges.   

"Not the sexiest types of projects," admitted Currie Dixon, Yukon's community services minister — but necessary, he says.

"They're critical not only for our economy, but for our quality of life in Yukon communities." 

Five of the projects announced Monday are in Whitehorse, including: 

• Reconstruction of Sixth Avenue ($3.8 million)
• Whitehorse Corridor passing lane and intersection improvements ($1.5 million)
• Klondike Highway improvements ($2 million)
• Fox Creek bridge replacement ($4.7 million)
• Alaska highway restoration ($868,149)

The rest are spread throughout the territory:

• Yukon River bridge replacement, Carmacks ($6.7 million)
• Dempster Highway culvert replacement, Dawson City ($486,500)
• Dawson airport runway resurfacing ($268,200)
• Replacement of Burwash Landing water treatment plant ($5.1 million)
• Sewage lagoon upgrades, Faro ($1.6 million)
• Wastewater lift station replacement, Haines Junction ($3.4 million)
• Water treatment plant expansion and reservoir upgrades, Mayo ($4.6 million)
• Mayo River bridge refurbishment ($517,324)
• Teslin airport connector road ($2.2 million)

The Yukon government says work on some projects has already begun and the rest will get underway over the next three years.