Ground Broken on Hamilton Boulevard Project

FOR RELEASE #07-195
September 19, 2007

WHITEHORSE – The Hamilton Boulevard Extension project officially commenced today with the ceremonial ground breaking attended by Community Services Minister Glenn Hart, Whitehorse West Member of the Legislative Assembly Elaine Taylor and Whitehorse Deputy Mayor Jan Stick.

“Completing this project will improve public safety by providing a reduction in traffic congestion and by creating an alternate access and egress route for emergency vehicles,” Community Services Minister Glenn Hart said. “This project will also be a benefit to the region’s local economy as a number of jobs will be created through the stages of the project.””This road project is another good example of how three orders of government can utilize the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to improve community infrastructure,” the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development said. “These infrastructure projects have tremendous economic, environmental and social benefits, which are enhancing the health and safety of Yukon communities.”

“The proposed extension of Hamilton Boulevard has been a key priority of mine and I am very pleased to see construction starting on this long-overdue project,” Whitehorse West Member of the Legislative Assembly Elaine Taylor said. “Approximately one-third of the Whitehorse population lives in the Copper Ridge area, so this extension project will be welcomed by many for its added safety and access benefits.”

“It has been a long time coming and I am very pleased to be turning one of the first shovel-loads involved with the construction project,” Whitehorse Deputy Mayor Stick said. “The Hamilton extension, when completed, will provide much more convenience for the residents of Copper Ridge.”

The Hamilton Boulevard extension will connect the Falcon Drive South intersection in Copper Ridge to the Alaska Highway at the existing Robert Service Way intersection. The project includes provisions for future traffic control lighting and required intersection improvements. The extension would see four kilometers of roadway added, including connections to the existing Lobird Access Road and the Alaska Highway.

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Contact:
Roxanne Vallevand
Cabinet Communications
(867) 633-7949
roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca

Doug Caldwell
Community Services
(867) 667-8065
doug.caldwell@gov.yk.ca