The Government of the Northwest Territories has signed an agreement with North Star Infrastructure (NSI) for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road.

NSI is a consortium consisting of Kiewit Canada Development Corp., the Tłı̨chǫ Government (as 20% equity provider) and Design-Build partners Peter Kiewit Sons ULC, Hatch Corporation, and Thurber Engineering Ltd.

The 97km road will connect the community of Whatı̀ to Highway 3 near Behchokǫ. It will replace the southern section of the existing winter road, adapting the area to the impacts of climate change, providing uninterrupted access to Whatì and increasing the winter road window-of-access to the communities of Gamètì and Wekweètì.

It is hoped that all-weather access will attract further interest from industry in exploration and development of the area's natural resources.

The total value of the contract with NSI for building and maintaining the road over 28 years (2-3 construction and 25 operations and maintenance) is CAD411.8 million (US$310.4 million). Construction will begin in the fall (autumn) of this year.