Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, first, to welcome all my colleagues back from what I hope was a restful and happy holiday season. As you know, during this Session we will have many important issues to deal with, all of which will take a great deal of time and energy.
With that in mind, I would like to add another item to our busy table. That of course being the Highway No. 3 section between the Rae access intersection and Yellowknife. Over the past number of months, myself and other Members have lobbied to start construction at this section earlier than the target date of 1998. Today most of you heard our Grand Chief, Joe Rabesca, on the radio wanting to have the speed reduced because of the increased number of transport trucks that are now on this road as well as the ever growing number that will be starting to drive it with the opening of the winter roads north of Yellowknife. Some of you that drove to Yellowknife will understand what I am talking about.
In the last couple of months the traffic has steadily increased, which is making it very dangerous for our residents travelling this section. We must start the reconstruction this coming summer and, for the interim, must reduce the speed and enforce the rules of the road on these trucks. This road is dangerous and is going to get worse. We cannot sit and wait for someone to lose their life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.