Wildfires delay start of Mackenzie Valley Highway construction

Federal officials say construction on the Mackenzie Valley Highway will not begin until wildfire conditions in the Northwest Territories are under control and it is safe to proceed. The proposed allseason gravel road would link Wrigley to Inuvik and is intended to improve access for remote communities, lower costs, and support broader northern infrastructure goals. Prime Minister Mark Carney had said in March that work would begin this summer, but the territory’s severe wildfire season has complicated that timeline. There are currently 214 wildfires burning in the Northwest Territories, with most considered out of control. The federal Major Projects Office says the project still needs environmental assessments, regulatory approvals, permits, and funding decisions before full construction can move ahead. Some smaller sections, including highway upgrades and bridge or access road work, may progress sooner, with construction on certain parts currently expected to begin next summer.