The NWT government is holding sessions in Behchokǫ̀ for residents to provide input on the replacement of the Frank Channel Bridge.
The bridge, located on Highway 3 between Rae and Edzo, sits on the only road connecting Rae and Yellowknife to the south and has long needed replacing.
The NWT government has said it needs to be updated to “meet traffic demands and eliminate the restrictions for over-dimensional loads.”
In a Monday press release, the territory said residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the design, proposed timelines and regulatory requirements for the new bridge.
Sessions are set to take place on Tuesday, February 11 and Wednesday, February 12 from 4-8pm each night at Behchokǫ̀’s cultural centre. Dinner will be provided at both sessions.
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In early 2023, the federal and NWT governments said they were committing a total of $70 million to replace the bridge, which is more than 60 years old. That was an increase of $20 million from the initial budget, which was announced in 2021. The governments attributed the increased cost to inflation and “market escalations.”
Construction of the new bridge was originally slated to start in 2022 and it was expected to open to traffic in late 2024.
Once construction does begin, the NWT government has said the new bridge will be built next to the existing one. The territory said the current bridge will be demolished only once the new bridge has opened.
