Canada’s federal transport minister, Pablo Rodriguez, announced an investment of up to $186.2 million under the National Trade Corridors Fund for a project that includes major upgrades at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.
The airport infrastructure requires improvements to maintain existing essential services such as passenger and charter flights, as well as cargo handling activities.
The project consists of four main improvements:
• upgrading the parallel runway;
• reconstructing the main runway;
• replacing the Whitehorse air maintenance facility, and
• building a new rotary operations (helicopter) area.
In addition to upgrading the airport’s critical infrastructure, the project aims to enhance safety measures and increase operational capacity to better support Yukon’s mining and tourism sectors. The project will also work to increase the airport’s resilience against the impacts of climate change.
“We’re investing in the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport to support the growth of the tourism and economic sectors in Yukon,” said Rodriguez. “Strengthening our supply chains also means Canadians in Northern communities can more easily have access to the goods they need, when they need them and at fair prices.”
“This investment by our government is a vote of confidence in one of the key economic sectors of the Yukon,” said Brendan Hanley, member of parliament for Yukon.
“It will also ensure our infrastructure is resilient and will be able to withstand the disruptive effects of climate change. With these runway upgrades, Erik Nielsen Airport will be able to better serve our community.”
“As the largest airport in the Yukon, the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is critical to our transportation network,” said Nils Clarke,minister of highways and public work, Government of Yukon
“Our government is committed to making investments in our aviation infrastructure to help provide safe and reliable air travel for all. These upgrades will continue to ensure the airport meets the needs of the territory now and into the future.”
This press release was prepared and distributed by Transport Canada.
