The Yukon highways department can’t put a dollar figure on fixing a portion of the Alaska Highway between Destruction Bay and the Canada-U.S. border because that part is constantly going through a cycle of thawing, repairing and degrading.
“We don’t have an estimate because this section is under a continuous process of permafrost thaw and road repair and the levels of degradation can be sporadic,” said Krysten Johnson, communications manager for the Highways and Public Works department, by email on Feb. 14.
That means that even if all the permafrost-affected areas were repaved along the 220-kilometre section, within a few years, parts would become weaker or worse, she indicated.
In light of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Premier Ranj Pillai signing a memorandum of understanding on recouping and maintaining the highway, the territorial department clarified the status of a previous Yukon government cost estimate of $500 million that has been recently circulating in some media.
Johnson explained the costs of maintaining this particular portion of the road (part of what’s called the Shakwak corridor) amounts to about $2 million a year on average whereas the total estimate being cited is outdated and no longer reliable.
She added that big old estimate included costs for all the work planned under the Shakwak program which covers reconstructing, paving and maintaining the Canadian section of the Haines Road and the Alaska Highway between Haines Junction and Destruction Bay.
As seen by the News on June 30, 2022, a sign posted along the Alaska Highway for permafrost stabilization has the Government of Canada and Government of Yukon logos on it, as well as a price tag of $1 million for work from kilometre 1,840.5 to 1,840.9.
The deal signed by the Republican governor and the Liberal premier formalizes “working together to advocate for more funding,” although it doesn’t have a dollar number attached to it, Johnson said.
The agreement commits the Yukon and Alaska to come up with the project scope and funding under Alaska’s statewide transportation improvement program, per Johnson.
She said the two jurisdictions are also trying to get funding through a U.S. Transportation department infrastructure program.
If approved, the money will go towards restoring some sections of the Alaska highway that are most impacted by thawing permafrost, Johnson said, noting the joint submission to the program is US$25 million.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
