N.W.T. Highway 4 bypass to open Friday

People leaving Yellowknife on the IngrahamTrail will no longer drive pastGiant Mine as of Friday, whena bypass road around the contaminated site is set to open to traffic.

The new access road between Highway 3 and 4 opens Jan. 31 at noon. It meets Highway 3 near the entrance to FredHenneTerritorial Park and connects to the IngrahamTrail before the Yellowknife River.

The territory built the bypass road because there were concerns about the long-term impact of vehicles driving over underground chambers filled with toxic arsenictrioxide at Giant Mine.

The Department of Transportation is warning motorists to expect delays and be aware of people turning on to the new section of road.

Earl Blacklock, spokesman for the Department of Transportation, says there will be access toVee Lake from the new road. People will still be able to drive the old road to the Ski Club, landfill and cruising club dock.