Mackenzie Valley Highway

Quick facts

  • Two-lane gravel highway

  • 321 kilometres in length (Wrigley to Norman Wells)
  • 40 of 42 bridges already built
  • Estimated cost is $700 million

Project Benefits

  • Improves intercommunity mobility, enhanced social opportunities and s lower the cost of living in the region.
  • Supports a more resilient transportation system from effects of climate change.
  • Creates new economic opportunities, such as increased tourism and access for mineral and petroleum resource development.

Current Status

  • The northernmost section of the MVH, the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway, opened to traffic on November 15, 2017
  • On June 27, 2018, the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories announced $140 million for construction of the Great Bear River Bridge, planning and environmental studies for the Mackenzie Valley Highway, and construction of an access road from Wrigley to Mount Gaudet.
  • A 14 kilometre-long access road from Norman Wells to Canyon Creek opened on November 13, 2018. Construction of the road created employment, training and business opportunities for local residents.
  • On April 10, 2019, the GNWT and Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated signed a
    Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Cooperation on the Advancement of the MVH through the Environmental Review and regulatory Processes.
  • Staff from the Department of Infrastructure visited four communities between February 25-28, 2019 to conduct engagement sessions with Indigenous governments, town and hamlet councils, industry, and community members. Click here to view the presentation.

  • Staff from the Department of Infrastructure visited the Sahtu communities of Norman Wells and Tulita November 12-14, 2019 to conduct engagement sessions. Click here to view the presentation.

  • Staff from the Department of Infrastructure visited the Dehcho community of Wrigley on January 27, 2020 to conduct engagement sessions. Click here to view the presentation. 

  • Next steps include engaging with Indigenous governments, NWT residents, and other stakeholders, completing a business case and further planning.