Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the importance in ease of access to goods and services is something many Canadians take for granted, but not so much for small communities in the NWT and more so when there's no highway access south.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Infrastructure confirm what progress is being made on completing that portion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley to Norman Wells? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you will recall that back in 2018 the GNWT secured $140 million under the transportation Canada's National Trade Corridors Fund to be able to continue to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway. This is also a priority of this government.
In the time since, extensive work has been done on a desktop and a field studies to gather environmental and engineering baseline data to be able to support the regulatory applications and the environmental assessment.
The focus this year is on collection of outstanding and environmental engineering baseline data. We will also continue to focus heavily on engagement to gather public input on the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway corridor alignment and anticipated construction activities.
We have continued to work with SSI through an establishment of an MOU for the project. We've had discussions with PKFN in regards to how best we can work together to advance these important projects.
All this work will inform the developer's assessment report, which we expect to submit to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board this fall.
With regards to the bridges, Mr. Speaker, over the past few years, extensive work has been done to replace most of the existing water crossings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that answer. I think it might have just about answered everything here. But I'm going to ask anyway.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm what is the expected cost to complete that portion of the highway from Wrigley to Norman Wells and what are the factors driving any increase in cost? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, back in 2018, a very high level and general project estimate was developed and put the overall project in the range of about $700 million, Mr. Speaker. Not only was this estimate high, it is now outdated as the Member mentioned in his Member's statement.
We know that many factors have changed since this time, including some of the inflationary pressures, labour market conditions, and chain supply issues, to name a few.
As the environmental assessment progresses, we will be finalizing the engineering design for construction. These plans will inform detailed internal construction cost estimates which will be required to inform engagement with Canada for future funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell this Assembly what are the barriers to completing the Mackenzie Valley Highway to Norman Wells within a reasonable timeline? Is it rights agreements? Is it money? Is it environmental requirements? Is it GNWT's capacity? Communities have been waiting too long for yearround access to the south. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, the submission of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Developers Assessment Report to this Mackenzie Valley Review Board is the next major milestone for this project and will trigger the board's environmental assessment process.
We are anticipating the board requiring the full allotment of time available to them to complete the EA which will see a final report of the environmental assessment to be submitted to responsible Ministers for a decision in late 2024.
Provided this project is given the go ahead, an additional year would likely be required to gain all the necessary regulatory authorization and permits so we can start construction.
As previously mentioned, between now and then, a revised construction cost estimate needs to be developed and construction funding secured. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that this project's going to, you know, be south of $700 million.
So Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm what discussions are taking place with the federal government to access the required funding and supports for the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway between Wrigley and Norman Wells? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government has provided significant financial support to be able to help us advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway project through the environmental assessment. There's been meetings at all levels to garner support for this project. Support of our Indigenous partners is the key to be able to move forward as well as to secure federal funding.
As the EA progresses, we will continue to finalize engineering design plans for construction. These plans will inform an updated cost construction cost estimate which is critical to be able to inform the engagement with Canada for future funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
