Yukon, feds to spend $78M on infrastructure projects

The Yukon and federal governments have announced money for some major infrastructure projects across the territory, including the replacement of Yukon's last wooden bridge on a major highway.

In all, the two governments will spend $78 million on 17 projects. Three quarters of that money ($58 million) is coming from the federal government, while the rest is from the territory.

The biggest-ticket items are the replacement of the woodenNares River Bridge in Carcross ($12.7 million), the rehabilitation of the NisutlinBay Bridge in Teslin ($16.9 million)and Campbell Highway reconstruction work, near Watson Lake ($10.4 million).

Other projects involveimprovements to runways,sewage plantsand other roads and bridges.

"Not the sexiest types of projects," admitted Currie Dixon, Yukon's community services minister but necessary, he says.

"They're criticalnot only for our economy, but for our qualityof life in Yukon communities."

Five of the projects announced Monday are in Whitehorse, including:

• Reconstruction of Sixth Avenue($3.8 million)
• Whitehorse Corridor passing lane and intersection improvements($1.5 million)
• Klondike Highway improvements($2 million)
• Fox Creek bridge replacement($4.7 million)
• Alaska highway restoration ($868,149)

The rest are spread throughout the territory:

• Yukon River bridge replacement, Carmacks($6.7 million)
• Dempster Highway culvert replacement, Dawson City($486,500)
• Dawson airport runway resurfacing ($268,200)
• Replacement of Burwash Landing water treatment plant ($5.1 million)
• Sewage lagoon upgrades, Faro ($1.6 million)
• Wastewater lift station replacement, Haines Junction ($3.4 million)
• Water treatment plant expansion and reservoir upgrades, Mayo ($4.6 million)
• Mayo River bridge refurbishment ($517,324)
• Teslin airport connector road ($2.2 million)

The Yukon government says work on some projects has already begunand the rest will get underway overthe next three years.