Debates of November 29, 2007 (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today in my Member’s statement I spoke of the deplorable condition of Highway No. 6 and the fact that my constituents in Fort Resolution take their lives into their hands when they drive that road. Can the Minister tell this Assembly whether there is any plan to do any reconstruction on Highway No. 6 in the near future? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Return To Question 63-16(1): Condition Of Highway No. 6

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the need for capital reconstruction of Highway No. 6 to Fort Resolution is identified in the department’s 20-year capital needs assessment. The first 32 kilometres of the old Pine Point townsite has chipsealed surface, Mr. Speaker. I will, again, look at this issue here with the Members, as I also indicated to the Member for the Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 63-16(1): Condition Of Highway No. 6

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We need to do something to that highway before it disappears into the muskeg or, worse, before a bad accident occurs on that highway. Can the Minister commit to having his officials look at the situation taking into account the potential impact of the Tamerlane project that is being considered right now on the other side of the area of the highway from Fort Resolution due to the potential for high volume traffic for employees at Tamerlane? Can the Minister advise if there will be anything moved up in the capital plan to cover the 56 miles of gravel highway leading into Fort Resolution?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. A couple of questions there. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 63-16(1): Condition Of Highway No. 6

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the Member for Tu Nedhe that my officials will continue monitoring all the infrastructure of highways, marinas, airport facilities in the North, and that Highway No. 6 is one of the areas that we are paying close attention to. The challenge, of course, is to find the funding to improve our existing highways and respond to the demands of all our needs in the Northwest Territories. I look forward to discussing transportation funding priorities with the committees when we have that time.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 63-16(1): Condition Of Highway No. 6

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently there is $34 million in the capital plan for chipseal and pavement overlay. Can the Minister tell me how much of the $34 million has been earmarked for Highway No. 6, if any?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 63-16(1): Condition Of Highway No. 6

Mr. Speaker, chipseal and pavement overlays are only considered on sections of our highways that we have reconstructed and the road base and improved the alignment, otherwise we would lose the service of improvement. Mr. Speaker, I want to get back to the Member with more information on the planned future work of Highway No. 6 in terms of chipsealing in that area.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 63-16(1): Condition Of Highway No. 6

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to taking a drive with me to the community during the summer months to see the highway first hand, Highway No. 6? Hopefully it will be raining then. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 63-16(1): Condition Of Highway No. 6

Mr. Speaker, I’m going to gladly take up the Member’s offer. I’m planning, actually, to see if I can drive all the highways in the Northwest Territories. I also plan to sit down with the Member and have a discussion about the future work that may happen in Pine Point. I look forward to working with committee on advancing some of the infrastructure needs with this government here. Certainly, the committee Members would be most important to my department in these types of discussions we have on infrastructure.