Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation. Can the Minister provide an update to this House on the plans for maintenance and improvements on the Northwest Territories highway system? Mahsi.
Masi. Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has a 25-year transportation strategy, which we are continually reviewing. We review all the north and south sections of the Northwest Territories. We do these on an annual basis, and we have a long-term plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Minister for his very terse and brief reply. My second question is what is the plan for the repairs and improvements for the section of most concern, between Behchoko and Yellowknife.
As many of us know that drive this highway, the department has some serious challenges with this section of highway between here and Behchoko. Over the number of years, the department has been working on and developing a program, that is under way, of monitoring four test sections of this highway to determine the best options, how we are going to deal with them moving down the road. There are some major challenges with this section of highway, but the degradation of permafrost and such… We need to make sure that the future money that is spent on this section of the highway, we will fix the highway properly, so we can get it to a situation where it is the way it is supposed to be.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What are the findings of the Department of Transportation on the reasons for the increasing deterioration of the road conditions? Are they unique to the North and how would the Department of Transportation address them? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I’ve said, there’s four test sections on this highway; most of it’s related to degradation of permafrost. Also, as the Minister responsible for Climate Change this is a serious problem that we’re going to be facing and we are facing right across the Northwest Territories. It’s a challenge. As any government moving forward, us as the 18th Assembly, 19th, and 20th Assembly, are going to be facing if climate change isn’t brought under control, so it’s something that the Assembly as a whole is going to have to work towards. It’s going to cost a lot of money for mitigation and adaption in this area and we are spending the appropriate amount of money to try to keep this section of highway in a safe and effective manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister did state that the department is looking at some best options in terms of addressing the need for improvements in maintenance on the highway system, so this could be a long shot, but my closing question is: would the department consider the options in terms of currently using chipseal versus the idea of maybe down the road examining the serious merits for using asphalt versus chipseal? Mahsi.
It’s ironic that through forced growth $3 million has recently been allowed for significant chip seal repair. For this coming season we are looking at chipsealing 80 kilometres of this section of highway between here and Behchoko, and I think it’s something the department is having a serious look at. There’s a couple of other options, but this particular year we’re moving forward with chipsealing on a certain section of highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
