MACKENZIE – RUPERT HIGHWAY (2007)

Phase One of the road project was to complete the logging road into Mount Milligan in order to provide the infrastructure to assist in making the Terrane Metals Corp. project viable. There is currently a logging road from Fort St. James to Mackenzie; however, the Mackenzie side is not being maintained or kept clear of snow at this time. It is our understanding that Pope & Talbot will be utilizing this road in the near future for the transportation of wood waste to Mackenzie, as part of the Mackenzie Green Project.

We would like to submit Phase Two of the development, which we have currently named the Mackenzie–Rupert Highway. Our purpose is to propose a highway be developed connecting Highway 27 and Highway 97 past the Mount Milligan project.

This highway would open up our region, as well as all of Western BC. This will create quicker and easier access to the Port of Prince Rupert, both for highway and rail shipments. The future economic prosperity of Western BC is dependent upon opening access routes to the Prince Rupert port and will enhance BC’s position as a gateway to the Asian Pacific market.

As a tourism initiative we would be creating another circle tour, as well as an alternate route to the Alaska Highway. Access would be increased to numerous historic areas, such as Nation Lakes, Manson Creek Gold Sites, Stuart Lake, and many more. Visitors will be able to access the entire area in any direction, creating opportunities for people from Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James to access such places as Mackenzie, Powder King Ski Hill, Tumbler Ridge, and Dawson Creek, just to name a few.

This highway will open up all of Northwestern BC which, in turn, will open up opportunities in mining, oil and gas, the logging industry and tourism. The pine beetle infestation has left its mark on many northern communities, and our very existence depends on creating new partnerships and new corridors for all of us to remain economically viable.

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

That the provincial government enter into an arrangement with the Townships of Fort St. James, Mackenzie, forestry and mining industries and the provincial government to pave Highway 27 from Fort St. James to MacKenzie.