Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho highway is designed and intended to provide yearround road access to the Tlicho region. It is the Tlicho's wish to eventually have allseason road extended to Gameti and Wekweeti. In this Assembly, we saw the completion of most of the portion to Whati; however, the last 10 kilometres are not completed. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister what happened to the final section of the Tlicho AllSeason Road to Whati? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. We have applications in to the federal government to complete the rest of that highway. We started we completed phase 1. We are working with the Tlicho partnership as per our cooperation agreement. So, I mean, yes, we are looking into it. And thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho highway to Whati was built only to the preexisting Whati access road used to connect Whati to the winter road. The access road does not meet modern engineering standards that consider things such as ponded water, drainage, and drivability. It is not up to the same standard as the rest of the Tlicho AllSeason Road. With this in mind, the community government of Whati would like to see this deficiency corrected.
Can the Minister tell me when will this section be constructed and, if it's not in the works, commit that it will be included in the next capital budget? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I became Minister of Infrastructure, I was quite surprised that we didn't finish the road all the way too so I mean, I it's a 12 kilometre access coad that needs to get into the community of Whati. We have taken steps over the few years in preparation for the Whati access road improvements. This has included things like surveying, design work, and securing necessary permits. Mr. Speaker, I anticipate that this work will start within the year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there seems to be no reference to the Tlicho AllSeason Road in the 20242025 Capital estimates. This is very troubling as the highway has been left incomplete in terms of connecting Whati with an allseason road. The last few kilometres are missing. There is an access road that is substandard. It would not be allowed to remain if it is would not be allowed to remain if it was on the major road into Yellowknife. The Minister must ensure the concerns of Whati are heard. Will the Minister invite the representative of Whati to the next working group meeting? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to note that once we get the funding, then it'll be put on the books. So we're just anxiously awaiting for the federal government to be able to perhaps respond to our proposal and get the rest of that highway completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason why I brought this up is because the community of Whati are very concerned, especially the leadership. So that's why I brought this up at this time. And they would like to see the work completed as soon as possible because it is if you drive on it, it is not good. The last section leading to the Whati road, to Whati to the community of Whati is not drivable. So that's why I brought it up because the chief from Whati would like to see this completed as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, that is what we're working at. I do want to note that this project's into two phases. The phase that we're going to start will consist of road embankment improvement, some of the ditching, drainage culvert installation, signage, replacement of the culvert with a short span bridge. This is our next phase, Mr. Speaker. This is something that we are looking for funding. And, you know, I'm anticipating that work is going to start right away. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
