The Slave Geological Province Corridor project got a financial boost this week.
Transport Canada is giving $30 million and the Government of the Northwest Territories is adding another $10 million for environment regulation review and planning studies.
The corridor is essentially a two-lane gravel road that would run from Yellowknife to the east towards Nunavut near the three active diamond mines.
The project is estimated to cost over one billion dollars.
According to a news release, communications and hydro lines, as well as a deep-water port are all part of the plan.
The road would run through the lands of the Bathurst caribou herd, which has seen its number plummet to fewer than 10,000 animals. It’s still unknown if the project will go ahead if the regulatory process shows significant negative impact on the herd.
Francis was a reporter with CKLB from January 2019 to March 2023. In his time with CKLB, he had the immense pleasure and honour of learning about northern Indigenous cultures.
