Yukoners 'generally' favour Alaska Highway plan: report
'No roadwork will be undertaken until we've reprioritized the plan and engaged further with some stakeholders'
Yukoners lean slightly in favour of the territorial government's proposed modifications to the Whitehorse corridor of the Alaska Highway, according to a new report.
The report, prepared by consulting firm CH2M Hill, is based on public consultations carried out last spring. It says the balance of opinion is "generally in favour" of the overall plan to modify a 40-kilometre stretch of the Alaska Highway in Whitehorse.
Forty-five per cent of respondents agree the proposed plan balances local and regional transportation needs and will benefit Whitehorse residents and Yukoners, while 39 per cent disagree. They don't see a balance between community, environment and economic considerations in the plan.
Scott Kent, Yukon ministers of highways, says more work needs to be done on the plan and acknowledged concerns about impact on the environment, businesses and on other users like pedestrians and cyclists.
"The one thing that I can assure Yukoners is that no roadwork will be undertaken until we've reprioritized the plan and engaged further with some stakeholders, with the exception of any work that's deemed necessary to safety concerns," says Kent.
The long term plan includes twinning the highway through Whitehorse, rebuilding intersections and adding passing and turning lanes. It also includes adding frontage roads and making changes to the adjacent multi-use trail.
The report mentions a petition lodged by residents of Takhini, Valleyview and Prospector Trailer Park, who have concerns about pedestrian crossings, increases to air and noise pollution and safety concerns.