Prohibition Creek Access Road Phase 1 opens to the public

Press Release

September 9, 2024

Construction of phase one of the Prohibition Creek Access Road (PCAR) is complete and open for public use.

This first section of PCAR is a 6.7-kilometre stretch of new all-season highway from Canyon Creek to Christina Creek, south of Norman Wells. Combined with the previously built Canyon Creek All-Season Access Road, there is now a total of 20.7 kilometres of the seasonal Mackenzie Valley Winter Road accessible year-around, improving the safety, reliability and resilience of the Northwest Territories transportation system in the face of climate change.

Construction began in November 2022. During the peak construction period in February 2023, 95 workers were employed, including 61 Sahtu residents and 12 residents from other regions of the Northwest Territories. This project provided essential training and experience for future infrastructure projects, such as the much-anticipated Mackenzie Valley Highway.

The remaining 6.3 kilometres of PCAR will be constructed as part of the future Mackenzie Valley Highway Project. This ongoing development will further enhance connectivity and economic opportunities for residents of the Northwest Territories.

Quotes

“The Prohibition Creek Access Road, like the Canyon Creek All-Season Access Road before it, not only supports the ongoing improvement of the key transportation corridor through the Mackenzie Valley it was is also a capacity-building project to help prepare businesses, workers and residents for greater involvement in future construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway. PCAR Phase 1 construction provided nearly 2,600 hours of training in various roles, including truck driving, surveying, drilling and blasting operations. These skills will be directly transferable when the Mackenzie Valley Highway advances.”

– Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Infrastructure

“Enhancing public infrastructure is vital to supporting the unique needs of northern communities. The Prohibition Creek Access Road will improve Northwest Territories’ transportation network by making transportation safer and more accessible. We will continue to invest in projects that better connect communities and provide opportunities for future growth.”

– Michael McLeod, MP for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Quick facts

PCAR Phase 1 construction was funded by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for a total of $25.5.
An additional $2.5 million was also secured under ICIP to complete outstanding regulatory and design work for PCAR Phase 2, which will be constructed as part of the future Mackenzie Valley Highway project. The additional funding will be cost-shared between HICC (75%) and the Government of the Northwest Territories (25%).
A negotiated contract was awarded to HRN Contracting Ltd. for this project. This procurement approach aims to build capacity in the region’s construction sector in anticipation of the larger Mackenzie Valley Highway project.