The Dettah Ice Road has opened.
Vehicles weighing up to 5,000 kilograms now the have the green light to use the key wintertime connection between Yellowknife and Dettah, the GNWT’s Department of Infrastructure announced in a tweet Saturday morning.
The Jan. 11 opening of the crossing ties for the latest ever.
It opened on the same day last year, mirroring a record set in 2000.
In contrast with the late openings seen over the last two years, the 20-year average opening date is Dec. 23, according to department records.
The #Dettah ice road is now open to vehicles weighing up to 5,000 kg // La route de glace entre #Yellowknife et #Dettah est maintenant ouverte aux véhicules dont le poids est inférieur à 5 000 kg.
— GNWT/GTNO Infrastructure (@GNWT_INF) January 11, 2020
The department of infrastructure says recent extreme cold temperatures impacted the opening date.
“Recent extreme cold temperatures are not easy on our machines or workers, and can impact opening dates and weight restrictions,” states the department.
Did you know that it can be TOO COLD to build an ice road? Recent extreme cold temperatures are not easy on our machines or workers, and can impact opening dates and weight restrictions. Check Twitter and our highway conditions map for the most up to date road conditions.
— GNWT/GTNO Infrastructure (@GNWT_INF) January 11, 2020
The earliest ever opening was recorded in 2002 - Dec. 6.