WHITEHORSE, Yuk. — A combined $43 million will be invested this summer as part of the Yukon governments commitment to upgrade highway networks and bridge infrastructures.

This summer, the value of bridge construction and rehabilitation work will exceed $18 million, and highway construction and related project work is estimated at $25 million.

“Yukoners will benefit from employment in these projects that will enhance the safety and condition of this section of Yukon’s major tourist and commercial highway route,” Highways and Public Works Minister Archie Lang noted about the Shakwak Project.

The major Shakwak projects planned for this year include: $10 million on road construction near Sheep Mountain from km 1700 to 1707; $7.15 million for replacement of the Donjek River Bridge at km 1822; $3 million to begin a two-year construction project to replace the Duke River Bridge at km 1768; and $6 million for paving to replace the deteriorating sections of bituminous surface treatments (BST) surface along the Haines Highway between km 174 and km 194.

The Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) will enable upgrading of the southern portion of the Alaska Highway with 50% recoverable funds from the federal government. The major CSIF projects include $6.235 million for widening and strengthening the Teslin River Bridge; and $500,000 to initiate the construction phase for the replacement of the Lewes (Yukon) River Bridge deck at km 1393.

Other major highway improvements planned for this year include: $2 million for pavement rehabilitation to the North Klondike Highway; $775,000 for crushing and stockpiling gravel to improve the Dempster Highway road surface; $600,000 to complete reconstruction of the Atlin Road from km 1 to km 6; and $875,000 for improvements to the South Robert Campbell Highway.