FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 November 9, 2021

WHITEHORSE – On May 27, 2021, the Minister of Highways and Public Works told the Yukon Legislative Assembly, the Carmacks Bypass – part of the much-delayed Yukon Resource Gateway project – would cost $26.75 million and include a new road and bridge.

He also stated work should begin in late July or early August.

On November 8, the Liberal government announced they had awarded the contract for the Carmacks Bypass infrastructure project, and the cost had shot up to $29.6 million. That is almost $3 million over budget.

“It is disappointing to once again see the Liberals mismanage a major infrastructure project so that it goes over budget and is late,” said Highways and Public Works Critic Stacey Hassard. “Overall the Liberals have really dropped the ball on the Resource Gateway Project as, when they signed the agreement with Canada in 2017, they stated construction would begin in June 2018. Unfortunately the Liberal’s mismanagement of this half billion infrastructure project means that while it was originally supposed to be completed in 2024 there is now no end in sight.”

The original agreement would see contributions from the private sector of approximately 23% as per a public-private type partnership. The Liberals could not answer questions in the Legislative Assembly about how much the private sector was contributing to the Carmacks Bypass project.

The Liberals also could not say how much money would be spent on the bypass this year.

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026