Yukon and Canadian Governments Announce Multiple Upgrades Along Range Road

(Left to Right) Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, and MP Larry Bagnell

Improvement include a 200 meter extension of the road to connect more businesses and a new stoplight for improved safety.

The Yukon government is investing over $4 million to improve driver and pedestrian safety along Range Road.

Director of Transportation Engineering Paul Murchison, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan and MP Larry Bagnell were part of the announcement today and upgrades include extending Range Road south of its location by 200 meters and creating a new intersection along the Alaskan Highway.

Murchison says those travelling on the highway will see a variety of changes along the road  in the coming months.

"The current access to Range Road will be closed. Access to Sumanik Drive across the highway will be eliminated as a safety issue. Sumanik Drive will become a right-in, right-out. As we head towards the airport, Range Road will be extended by the new commercial development and by an existing vacant lot to a new intersection. That intersection will provide connectivity for the City of Whitehorse operations building in the future."

A new stoplight will also be created at the intersection, creating easier passage for cars turning onto the Alaskan Highway and for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road.

 Murchison says the project development is already underway.

"We've had a community meeting (about the project) already.We have received feedback from the community and we will (soon) be moving forward to finalize the design. The project will go to tender likely in June and we expect construction to start in July. Construction will complete in September."

The Government of Canada is also contributing over $13 million for the development of the project.

Consultation will also occur this spring between Yukon Government and Whitehorse residents around the future Hilcrest/downtown pedestrian corridor.

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