This PDR is the “story” of the Highway through the GSA, based on the nearly five decades of initiatives, studies, consultations and reports, and serves as the guiding document for the Highway development proposal. The PDR is subject to the terms of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA) and to the extent there is a conflict between the PDR and the GCLCA, the provisions of the GCLCA shall govern to the extent of the inconsistency.

This PDR covers the construction of the Highway through the Tulita District in the SSA, based on the nearly five decades of initiatives, studies, strategies, consultations and reports, and serves as the initial guiding document for the proposal to develop the Highway in the area. The PDR is subject to the terms of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (SDMCLCA). To the extent there is a conflict between the PDR and the SDMCLCA, the provisions of the SDMCLCA shall govern to the extent of the inconsistency.

The results of the study strongly suggest that building the AWR is good for the residents of the Mackenzie Valley, the Canadian energy sector, and all governments in Canada.

This report is one of four related studies being conducted by the GNWT Department of Transportation to see if, from a range of perspectives, it makes sense to link these communities with an all weather road.

This report is one of four related studies being conducted by the GNWT Department of Transportation to see if, from a range of perspectives, it makes sense to link these communities with an all weather road.

The primary purpose of this study was to update or develop cost estimates for the extension of the Mackenzie Highway from Wrigley to the Dempster Highway and for an access road from Deline to the Mackenzie Highway near Tulita.

The study uses cost estimates developed by the Department of Transportation, assuming a conventional public tender construction approach (60km/hr design standard, ten-year construction period). It also address a Community Construction Approach to the project in which the highway will be built in small increments over an extended period.

A map of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway.