Location: km 243.8, Highway 3

The GNWT, in partnership with the Tłı̨chǫ Government, is replacing the Dehk’è Frank Channel Bridge.

This project will make travel safer, remove height and weight limits, and support reliable travel between communities. It will also help move goods more easily and support the northern economy.

About the Project

The current bridge was built in 1960 and is still safe to use. However, its overhead truss limits how large or tall vehicles can be.

This makes it harder to move large equipment and oversized loads needed for housing, construction, and industrial projects.

To fix this, a new bridge will be built just north of the existing one.

It will be about 200 metres long and will:

• Have two lanes (one in each direction)
• Include a separate path for people walking and cycling
• Have no overhead height limits
• Improve safety and traffic flow

During construction, traffic will still be able to move through the area safely with traffic controls in place. For the latest highway updates, visit the DriveNWT website.

Once it is complete, larger and heavier vehicles will be able to travel more easily along Highway 3.

Timeline

• Construction started in November 2025.
• The new bridge is expected to open in fall 2027.
• The old bridge will then be removed, and the project will be finished by fall 2028.

Project Funding and Partners

This project is supported through the National Trade Corridors Fund, with a $52.5 million contribution from the Government of Canada.

The Tłı̨chǫ-Kiewit General Partnership (TKGP) has been awarded the construction contract for $120.7 million.

The project is being delivered in partnership with the Tłı̨chǫ Government and will support local jobs, training, and business opportunities.

Project Status

Construction is underway.

Early work is complete, including setting up the site, bringing in equipment, and building access roads. A temporary bridge has also been put in place to support construction.

Work is now ongoing on the bridge foundations and main structure. Steel parts for the bridge are also being built.

Most of the design work is complete. Construction will continue through 2026 and 2027.

Progress to Date

• Road materials were produced by Tłı̨chǫ Engineering and Environmental Services.
• The design and construction contracts were awarded to the Tłı̨chǫ–Kiewit General Partnership (TKGP).
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Behchokǫ̀ on October 24, 2025, to mark the start of the project.
• Site setup began in November 2025
• A temporary construction bridge opened in March 2026
• Steel bridge components are being built
• Work on bridge foundations began in April 2026