Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my Member's statement last year, I have a couple more questions for the Minister responsible for Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, it has been almost two years now since the windbreak has been taken from kilometre 4 on the Dempster Highway because it is deteriorating. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister: when will the department replace this windbreak at kilometre 4 on the Dempster Highway? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My recollection on the kilometre 4 windbreak was that, in discussions with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, they asked us to take this down, but I would have to follow up with the department if there have been in any more discussions with the GTC and see if they want us to replace this, or what the procedure is going to be moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I recall it, I believe the community of Fort McPherson actually asked to take it down because it was an eyesore because it was falling apart at the time. You know, it was probably built before we had pressure-treated wood. Will the Minister ensure that this work takes place this summer, as it is really affecting road closure due to high winds?
I can certainly follow up with the department and get them to have a conversation with our superintendent in the region to reach out to the local community and talk to our contractor on that section of the highway to see what is happening on the ground and get back to the Member on what our plans are moving forward.
I know last year the department was saying that they haven't noticed any more closures than usual, but this year, because we have had more snow, higher winds, we have had this troubling spot at kilometre 4, to be specific. Once the Minister finds out from his department that this really is a problem, like I am bringing up, will the Minister ensure that they work with the community or the contractor over the summer to ensure this work is done?
If this does prove out to be a situation that needs to be addressed, depending on what the cost is, I suspect that this is something that we can possibly look at doing from within, but I will not commit to doing that until I get the exact details. I'm sure, if it is a situation where we need to address it to keep the road open for the residents of the Northwest Territories, we will have a serious look at doing it.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know that windbreak I'm talking about, it can't be more than a couple of thousand dollars we are talking about. We are holding up goods that are coming into our region, and also not to mention all the extra hours to maintain that highway. You know, we are talking about 20- to 30-foot drifts here, you know, in that one specific area. It is pretty easy that the cost of this windbreak is not more than what it takes to open that road, and not to mention all the goods that are waiting to go by. Will the Minister ensure that this is done over the summer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I said, I will get all the information pertinent to this information that we need to make a decision on this. If it clearly needs to be done and it is something we can finance without going for an appropriation from our Finance Minister, we will certainly look at doing that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
