$20 million paving project begins today at Lax Kw'alaams

The Tuck Inlet road is about to get a
significant upgrade as paving begins on
the four month project

The much anticipated paving of the Tuck Inlet Road gets underway today, putting blacktop down over the gravel road that connects the community to the Lax Kw'alaams Ferry at Tuck Inlet.

Prince Rupert's Adventure paving was awarded the contract to pave the road, replace a bridge and make a number of safety improvements to the road that travels 17.5 kilometres.

The anticipated cost for the four month project is listed at the 20 million dollar range and is part of the province's 10 year transportation plan to address First Nations projects and support economic development.

The work is anticipated to be complete by the end of September, while the remainder of the infrastructure work on the bridge is expected to be finished one month later.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone noted the importance of the road to the community and the anticipation in the community to get the project underway.

"Paving Tuck Inlet Road will ensure safe and reliable access to the residents of Lax Kw'alaams and visitors to their community,"..."I know that the entire Lax Kw'alaams community has been looking forward to this project starting for the last year, and I’m pleased that paving will get underway today."

You can review more from the Provincial Government update here.

The Lax Kw'alaams Band Council also has provided some background information on the importance of the road project through its community newsletter, noting that the contractor Adventure Paving is obligated to deliver a minimum amount of local work to Band members and that the Council intends to push for even further opportunities for those living in the community.

"That number ($400,000) is the minimum expectation, We will be vigilant in ensuring our members get as many opportunities as possible to benefit from it" -- Lax Kw'alaams Band Administrator Linda Simons on the start of a major road project for the community

With the major upgrade to the road, it will receive provincial designation and that means a significant change for Lax Kw'alaams residents. Once the work is complete drivers in the community will be required to hold a valid drivers licence and insurance.

The Motor Vehicle Act will be in effect in Lax Kw'alaams by September of this year and will be in effect both along the Tuck Inlet access road and on community streets.

Towards that requirement the Lax Kw'alaams RCMP detachment has been working with the Band to
ensure that residents have adequate time to transition to the provincial regulations.

The detachment members have been assisting at study sessions in the evenings to help prepare residents to take the Learner's licence written and oral exam.

More on the new requirements and an update on the road construction project can be found from the Lax Kw'alaams newsletter

More background on events from the community can be found on our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review