Transportation

Featured, News, Transportation July 15, 2024

UPDATED: More ferry fixes throw wrench into territorial highway system

Liard River ferry MV Lafferty is the third vessel this season to be pulled for unplanned repairs


With the MV Lafferty out of service at a key crossing in the Dehcho, the GNWT announced it will conduct what it called “essential dredging work” at the Liard River Ferry Landings between August 15 and September 18. At kilometre marker 457 on Highway 1 just southeast of Fort Simpson,…

Featured, Industry, News, Politics, Transportation, Weather June 28, 2024

Fix for low-water shipping woes could be ‘lighter than air,’ committee hears

But until Ottawa approves airships for arctic use, the push to finish Mackenzie Valley highway shifts gears


With barges stranded and deliveries disrupted up and down the Mackenzie River, alternatives to shipping are lacking at present, says Minister of Finance and Infrastructure Caroline Wawzonek. The senior minister told a committee hearing on Wednesday how she has been pitched alternative cargo transportation concepts, everything from finally securing funding…

Environment, Featured, News, Politics, Transportation, Weather June 7, 2024

Sahtu economy ‘faces collapse’ without barge re-supply, says MLA Daniel McNeely

Norman Wells and other communities face possible recession; GNWT says 'all-of-government' help is in the works


Historically low water levels on the Mackenzie River forced the territorial government to cancel its Marine Transportation Services (MTS) barges to Norman Wells and Tulita for the 2024 sailing season. Daniel McNeely is MLA for the Sahtu riding. “Right now, businesses in the Sahtu region are in a crisis situation….

Environment, Featured, News, Transportation, Wildfires May 15, 2024

Three days of ‘more favourable winds’ will help battle Fort Liard blaze, says NWT Fire

UPDATE: In separate blaze, NWT Fire confirms two structures lost along Hwy 1 and more properties are at risk


Some promising news for people in the Dehcho region, as a shift in winds today will push the uncontained blaze back on itself and away from people or structures, stated an NWT Fire update. Mike Westwick is the NWT Fire spokesperson for the 873-hectare Fort Liard blaze (FS002). “Today, winds…

Environment, Featured, Industry, News, Politics, Transportation, Weather April 10, 2024

Sahtu leaders band together to push for Mackenzie Highway project

The region's economy would benefit from an all-season road as would national security, says new video


A rise in air temperatures and drop in water levels means the Mackenzie Valley Highway is needed now more than ever, states the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated. Shorter seasons for winter roads and unreliable barge movements have jacked up the cost of living, with more cargo and supplies requiring expensive air…