Mr. Speaker, we do have discussions with industry on a regular basis. We have had a number of discussions over this past winter and previous winters but, at the end of the day, we cannot force industry to invest in a road that they're not likely to use. In this case, the road from Tulita to Norman Wells is not one that industry felt they were going to be using for the majority of the rig moves. A lot of the rigs were moved over last winter into Norman Wells or over the summer on the barging system. So there was no requirement for them to invest money and upgrade this road, so it fell under our responsibility to maintain this road with our dollars that were budgeted.
Again, we have looked at a number of initiatives to see if we can improve the safety factors on this road. After several discussions with the people in the communities of Tulita, Norman Wells and the people of the Sahtu, we have allocated and budgeted for signs. We're putting a number of signs on that road. I believe the number is 650 signs that we're going to be putting up and are putting up as we speak to improve the safety factor. We're also setting up a series of meetings and we're going to be unveiling or having discussions about the possibility of instituting a speed limit on that road to improve the safety factor. We have also increased our highway patrols into that area and we continue to do so.
There are a number of initiatives that we have provided for this section of road. If there is still a concern regarding the condition, I want to assure the Member that we are looking at the allocated maintenance budget for this road. However, upon our inspections -- and we do them regularly; our highway superintendent performs them regularly -- they tell us the road is safe, provided you drive at a safe speed limit and you obey all the signs that are being put up right now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.