The Prohibition Creek Access Road will create employment, training and business opportunities for Sahtu residents.
 

Quick Facts 

• Two-lane, all-season gravel road.
• 13 kilometres in length; divided into two construction phases: 
  • Phase 1 includes the first 6.7-kilometre section from Canyon Creek to Christina Creek; 
  • Construction of the remaining 6.3 kilometres section from Christina Creek to Prohibition Creek will be combined with the overall Mackenzie Valley Highway construction
• Construction of Phase 1 started in the fall 2022 and was completed in September 2024.

Project Highlights

• The project will create employment, training and business opportunities for Sahtu residents.
• Once constructed, the road will provide access for recreational and traditional harvesting activities.
• The proposed road will be along the alignment of the existing Mackenzie Valley Winter Road.

Current Status

• March 2019: The Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated (SSI) passed a resolution in support of pursuing the Prohibition Creek Access Road.
• April 2019: SSI and the GNWT signed a Memorandum of Understanding that includes working together to support the advancement of local access road projects.
• June 2020: A total of $20 million was announced for the construction of the new all-season access road from Canyon Creek Bridge to Prohibition Creek Bridge. Of this amount, the federal government will provide $15 million under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The GNWT will fund the remaining $5 million.
• September 2020: The GNWT filed the Project Description Report and regulatory applications for the Prohibition Creek Access Road.
• November 2020: The GNWT received the necessary Type “A” Land Use Permit and Type “B” Water Licence for the construction of the Prohibition Creek Access Road.
• September 2021: Project divided into two construction phases due to a design concern at Christina Creek. 
• October 2021: PCAR Phase 1 procurement initiated through a public tendering process. 
• December 2021: Public procurement process for PCAR Phase 1 cancelled as the lone bid received exceeded the project budget and was deemed unacceptable. 
• October 2022: The GNWT secured $25.5 million in funding for PCAR Phase 1 under Infrastructure Canada's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). A separate budget of $2.5 million was also approved to cover the planning and design work completed to date, as well as the outstanding work required to make Phase 2 construction shovel ready. 
• November 2022: Construction for Phase 1 starts.
• September 2024: Construction for Phase 1 is completed and the road opened to the public.