Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member's statement, I explained the safety concerns at Kilometre 87 just as you arrive in Fort McPherson. Mr. Speaker, I mentioned in my statement that, last year, we had a close call. If it wasn't for the quick reaction of my constituents, things could have been much worse. I'd like to ask the Minister: will the Minister ensure his department installs a guardrail along the lake at Kilometre 87? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is asking me about, I think, a section of highway where, when he just did a constituency tour, if I remember correctly, he and the Minister of Finance were pulled over. That is a 70-kilometre-an-hour zone there, Mr. Speaker.
There was a guardrail on this section of highway back in 2002, the department has informed me, and it fell over due to a soft shoulder. Since that time, the highway has actually been widened in that section, so at the present time there have been a couple of incidents, I think, in that area. There are a number of cabins right around there; that's the turnoff to go to the lagoon, as well, if I remember correctly. The last accident that occurred there, the Member is talking about and referred to, is someone who was parked on the side of the highway. At this time, we are not planning on putting a guardrail there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Through the Building Canada Plan Fund, we have completed 143 kilometres of widening as the Minister mentioned of the Dempster highway, which we all appreciate. Now we need to complete this work by clearing the right-of-way with brush cutting and installing guardrails to make it safe for the people who use this highway. Will the Minister ensure that this is done?
I'd like to inform this House that we're actually going to spend another $22.5 million on Highway 8 for reconstruction and rehabilitation between 2019 and 2024, which is a significant investment in that Member's riding. What I can say about this guardrail in this section of highway is that I can have our staff go out there and have a look at this and meet with the community members and have a look at it, if we can do a safety audit on what's happening there and get back to the Member.
I'm feeling the love from the Minister here today. That's good news. That's a start, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also ensure they identify all other areas that require guardrails from the NWT border to Campbell Lake, which is all throughout my riding?
Guardrails, we've had this conversation with the Member who looks after the Ingraham Trail, as well, around guardrails. Guardrails are identified if there's a safety hazard to traffic, but they are set up as according to industry standards as to the Transportation Association of Canada Guide, and I'm sure that our superintendent is all over that on that whole section of highway. I can actually ask the department to give me a list of where we think we need to be doing this or where we're planning on doing guardrails and let the Member know what we're going to be installing.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is just safety for our highways here. The Dempster, as I mentioned, we've only seen an increase in traffic because of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, and I'm sure it will be like that for many years to come. Safety is the number one issue. Many of our tourists have only driven on pavement, Mr. Speaker. Our highway is all gravel, but much better than the Yukon, I may add, that section of highway, the Dempster. Just for future safety concerns, will the Minister let his guard down and just say, "Yes"?
I know it's Valentine's Day, but let's take it a little bit easier here. I just want to reassure this House that we are investing $22.5 million on the Dempster over the next five years, $22.5 million. Safety is the number one priority of our department, and we will work with all Members in this House to ensure the highways in the Northwest Territories are as safe for the travelling public as possible, and if there are any concerns, please come to me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
