Highways gets money not to work

Monday February 8, 2010

By Genesee Keevil

This spring, the Yukon government is smoothing potholes with the help of federal stimulus cash.

Ottawa’s giving the territory $300,000 to upgrade Annie Lake Road, Fish Lake Road and Jackson Lake Road, and the Yukon government is matching the donation.

The $600,000 will be spent brushing, weeding, ditching and surfacing where required, said Highways assistant deputy minister Allen Nixon.

Highways has all the heavy machinery and equipment needed for the jobs, but it won’t be using it.

Instead, the department plans to contract the work out to smaller local businesses.

“We’re going to hire local contractors because they’re available and can do the work for us,” said Nixon.

That’s what the federal stimulus money is all about, he added.

Only 14 kilometres of Annie Lake road will be getting an upgrade, worth roughly $375,000.

The remaining $275,000 will be used to upgrade all of Fish Lake Road and Jackson Lake Road.

Bookmark and Share 2 Comments

3:02pm 02/08/10  |  EricB wrote:

Whats the big deal? The money is labeled Federal STIMULUS money so I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if conditions placed on it dictate that it go to private enterprise to stimulate the economy.  By going to contract the territory can probably get more done per $ anyway!!

1:47pm 02/08/10  |  Funky_Cold_Medina wrote:

I don’t understand how the title: “Highways gets money not to work” relates to the article?  It sounds like Highways is supporting local businesses, as they should, and some roads will be improved. 

Oh yeah….I forgot…The Yukon News hates the private sector.

I suggest that any contractor that advertises in the Yukon News should stop doing so.

Add a comment

The Yukon News has provided readers with the opportunity to post their views and opinions regarding any stories published on its website to foster dynamic discussions. Posts will be reviewed by a moderator before being published, but will not be edited or altered except for spelling and grammatical errors. Comments on this site are not the opinions of the Yukon News and comments with personal attacks, vulgar language, libelous statements or falsified facts will not be permitted. Only registered users of the website can contribute to the online conversations.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.