Thank you, Madam Chair. Over the last few weeks, Members of the Legislative Assembly have been working hard on reviewing the departmental capital budgets for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
As part of their review, Members of this House have recommended amendments and other commitments to the Department of Transportation’s 2014-15 Capital Estimates.
I have considered these recommendations with my Cabinet colleagues and offer the following commitments:
1. Recommendation for chipsealing Highway No. 1
Highway No. 1 from kilometre 187 to 206 is currently a priority to be resurfaced in 2014-15. The department will commit to resurfacing this section of road next summer.
2. Recommendation for upgrading of Mackenzie
Valley Highway winter road
This winter the department will improve the strength of the crossing at 12 Mile Point by watering the snow fill to create a solid base and will cover that base with rig mats. Going forward, the department will look at a more permanent solution, such as a portable bridge, for the 2014-15 winter season.
With respect to the recommendation for multi-year funding for the Detah access road, the Financial Management Board has approved $2 million to
resume the Detah Access Road Project in the 2014-15 fiscal year.
I will also assure Members that the additional funding for the Detah access road will not be financed through reducing funding from another project.
I will follow through with this adjustment in the Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2014-2015, which will be introduced in the House next week. Thank you, Madam Chair.