The Yukon Resource Gateway Program supports infrastructure upgrades for up to 650 kilometres of existing roads in areas with high mineral potential and active mining in the Yukon. It's jointly-funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon and the mining industry.
The program provides opportunities through short- and long-term employment options, training and benefits to:
- Yukoners;
- First Nations;
- communities; and
- industry.
We use this program to carry out projects that:
- provide necessary upgrades to existing road infrastructure;
- improve the safety and reliability of the road system; and
- provide more reliable access into areas of high mineral potential.
Project agreements and components
Agreements with Yukon First Nations governments
We've committed to having agreements with Yukon First Nations governments affected by projects. This sets a high standard for partnership and collaboration.
In total, there are 11 different components that make up the Yukon Resource Gateway Program. To date, we have 6 project agreements with our First Nations partners for 7 of the program's components.
Assessment and regulatory processes
Each component must follow the Yukon’s assessment and regulatory process. This process includes opportunities for public input and consultation with affected First Nations governments.
How the program is funded
We applied to the Government of Canada's National Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund to support the Yukon Resource Gateway Program. We also contributed our own funding and secured funding from the mining industry.
Our program is valued at $468,845,000. Financial contributions are provided by the:
- up to $247,381,000 from the Government of Canada;
- up to $112,802,000 from the Government of Yukon; and
- up to $108,662,000 from the mining industry.
Read the original January 2016 application for funding.
In 2019, we amended our application to include:
- more components such as the Silver Trail, North Canol and sections of the Robert Campbell Highway;
- more flexibility to focus on projects that Yukon First Nations and communities have requested; and
- a request that the completion date be extended from 2025 to 2031.
Read the May 3, 2019, amendment to the application. This is the most current document and overrides the original application.
The 11 project components
Goldfields Hunker and Sulphur
Improvements to 164 kilometres of the publicly maintained Goldfields Roads. These include Bonanza and Upper Bonanza, Hunker, Sulphur, Dominion and Quartz roads.
Goldfields Indian River and Coffee
Reconstruction of 98 kilometres of the Indian River and Coffee roads.
Casino Road
- Reconstruction of the Casino Road from kilometre 82 to kilometre 208.
- Construction of 18 bridge crossings over creeks along the route.
- Installation of approximately 71 culverts between 1,500 and 2,400 millimetres in diameter.
- Construction of stream crossings to meet current fish passage and environmental requirements.
Freegold Road
Bridge replacements at kilometres 24, 66 and 67 on the existing Freegold Road.
Carmacks Bypass
4.8 kilometre bypass road around Carmacks and the construction of 1 bridge.
South McQuesten
Bridge replacement at kilometre 23.6 on the existing South McQuesten Road.
Silver Trail
Road reconstruction from kilometre 0 to 110.
Robert Campbell Highway (kilometre 354.9 to kilometre 414.4)
Road reconstruction from kilometre 354.9 to kilometre 414.4.
Robert Campbell Highway (kilometre 114 to kilometre 232)
Road reconstruction from kilometre 114 to kilometre 232.
North Canol
Full or partial replacement of up to 27 bridges along the road.
Nahanni Range Road
- 2 bridge replacements at kilometre 8.1 and kilometre 143; and
- 1 bridge installation at kilometre 110 on the existing Nahanni Range Road.
View a map of the Yukon Resource Gateway Program components.
Current project agreements with Yukon First Nations
Construction of the Carmacks Bypass and Nordendkiold Bridge
In March 2019, the Government of Yukon and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation reached an agreement for the Carmacks Bypass component. The component consists of
- a bridge over the Nordenskiold River; and
- a bypass road for mining traffic to access the Freegold Road without having to drive through the town of Carmacks.
The contract was awarded to Pelly Construction Ltd. Work began in November 2021 and is expected to be complete in 2024.
View a map of the Carmacks Bypass and Nordenskiold River Bridge.
Upgrades to the Nahanni Range Road
In January 2020, the Government of Yukon and the Liard First Nation reached an agreement for the 1st phase of upgrades to the Nahanni Range Road.
Phase 1 upgrades include:
- 2 bridge replacements;
- 1 bridge rehabilitation; and
- improvements to lines of sight and road geometry.
View a map of the Nahanni Range Road component.
Improvements to the North Canol Road and the Robert Campbell Highway
In March 2020, the Government of Yukon and the Ross River Dena Council reached an agreement for:
- bridge replacement and safety improvements on the North Canol Road; and
- construction and resurfacing of kilometre 354.9 to kilometre 414.4 of the Robert Campbell Highway between Faro and Ross River.
View a map of the North Canol Road component.
View a map of the Robert Campbell Highway kilometre 354.9 to kilometre 414.4 component.
Improvements to the Robert Campbell Highway (kilometre 114 to kilometre 171
In June 2020, the Government of Yukon and the Liard First Nation reached an agreement to upgrade parts of the Robert Campbell Highway. Improvements are proposed for kilometre 114 to 171 on the Robert Campbell Highway between Ross River and Watson Lake.
Improvements to the Freegold Road
In November 2020, the Government of Yukon and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation reached an agreement to upgrade 3 bridges along the Freegold Road.
The project includes reconstruction and replacement of the:
- Crossing Creek Bridge;
- Bow Creek Bridge; and
- Seymour Creek Bridge.
A project agreement with Selkirk First Nation is still required for 2 of these 3 bridge replacements.
View a map of the Freegold Road component.
Upgrades to the Silver Trail
In March 2021, the Government of Yukon and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun reached an agreement to upgrade the Silver Trail. Upgrades will be made between kilometre 0 at the Klondike Highway through Mayo to kilometre 110 at Keno City. The project includes:
- reconstruction of the road;
- improvements of critical structures;
- rehabilitation of the Mayo River bridge; and
- rectification of deficiencies in road geometry.