Motorists in the Dehcho region are happy, as the Liard River ice crossing opened to light traffic at noon today. Vehicles weighing less than 5000 kilograms can drive across the seasonal ice road. The Department of Infrastructure says the last 25 year average opening date is November 29th.
Until today, Fort Simpson residents had to pay 365.00 dollars to hitch a lift across the river by helicopter, as they waited for the river to freeze.
The #LiardRiver ice crossing to #FortSimpson is now open to vehicles weighing up to 5,000 kgs. #NWThwy1 // La traverse de la #RivièreLiard vers #FortSimpson est ouverte aux véhicules pesant jusqu’à 5 000 kg. #TNOroute1
— GNWT/GTNO Infrastructure (@GNWT_INF) November 29, 2019
A spokesperson from the GNWT says there is no available update on the Ndulee crossing which connects Wrigley to Fort Simpson and the Sahtu region through the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road system.
Good news for motorists in the #Dehcho Region. @GNWT_INF reports that the Liard Ice Crossing to Fort Simpson on NWT Highway 1 is open! #CKLB pic.twitter.com/ajPUY4XDvV
— Josh Campbell (@Splash_Campbell) November 29, 2019
There was some chatter on social media pages in anticipation of the Liard Ice Crossing opening today.
A post on Fort Simpson’s Facebook Community Bulletin page.
Further North in the Mackenzie Delta region folks can now drive south from Inuvik to the Dempster Highway as both the Mackenzie River and Peel River ice crossings opened to light traffic on Wednesday.
For current road conditions, and Ice crossing information please visit the GNWT’s website or call 1-800-661-0750.
Workers crossing in a snow-cat ahead of today’s opening of the Liard Winter Road. (Photo courtesy of Owen Rowe)
