Construction of the Tlicho all-season road has resumed, according to a news release issued by the territorial government and North Star Infrastructure, Friday evening.
The GNWT and the private construction firm North Star Infrastructure - composed of the Tlicho Investment Corporation and international construction firm Kiewit - broke ground to begin the 97-kilometre route from Behchoko to Whati in August of last year.
NorthStar is expected to handle the construction of the $200 million road with Peter Kiewit Sons ULC, Hatch Corp. and Thurber Engineering Ltd. under contract for the design.
"As a result of construction activities, Tłı̨chǫ residents are advised that the Whatı community access road is temporarily closed beginning at the winter road junction," Friday's news release states. "Crews began mobilizing to the work site on May 15. Residents are asked to avoid this area until further notice."
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As the territory's post-Covid-19 economy recovers, the GNWT expects the construction of the road will play "a significant" role as funding for construction will provide work and employment for residents, the news release stated.
The road to Whati will also pave the way for a 50-km spur road from Whati to Fortune Minerals' gold, cobalt, bismuth and copper project, which is currently undergoing technical work. The company issued a news release May 7 stating it would provide an update once construction on the all-season road resumes.