WINTER ROADS AND ICE CROSSINGS:


ALL ICE CROSSINGS AND WINTER ROADS ARE CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.

YELLOWKNIFE

The Dettah ice crossing is closed to all vehicles.

BEAUFORT DELTA

Ice crossings in the Beaufort Delta typically last until late April to early May. There is a possibility of an earlier-than normal closure this year due to warm weather.

The Mackenzie River Ice Crossing near Tsiigehtchic is open to vehicles weighing less than 64,000 KGs.
 
The Peel River Ice Crossing near Fort McPherson is open to vehicles weighing less than 64,000 KGs.
 
The Akalvik and Tuktoyaktuk Ice Roads are open to vehicles weighing less than 25,000 kilograms. 

NOTICE:  It is a serious offense to travel on a winter road or ice crossing that has closed for the season or in the daylight hours when travel is restricted to night-time travel only. The penalty for driver's charged under the Seasonal Highway Regulations is $750.00 plus a victim surcharge of $113.00 for a total of $863.00.

South Mackenzie Ferry Crossings


The Lafferty ferry near Fort Simpson is operating normal hours from 8:00 am to 11:45 pm daily.  Interruptions or delays may occur due to work being conducted on the landings.  Caution should be used on the landings and approaches as they are slippery and soft.


The Johnny Berens near Wrigley is operating regular hours from 9:00 to 11:00 am and from 2:00 to 7:45pm. Interruptions or delays may occur due to work being conducted on the landings. Caution should be used on the landings and approaches as they are slippery and soft.









BRIDGES

Work will begin in May on various bridges in southern NWT. Please check the road conditions report on the DOT website or the toll-free number at 1-800-661-0750 BEFORE heading out to ensure you are aware of the possibility of delays.

Deh Cho Bridge (Highway 3):

One lane traffic will be required on occasions throughout the spring and summer to complete electrical and other required work. Occasional disruptions of both lanes are possible. Use caution when passing crews and equipment. The current speed limit of 50 km. per hour, and any reduced speed limits due to construction, will be strictly enforced. Remember, speed fines double in construction areas.

Frank's Channel Bridge (Highway 3):

Speed limit across the bridge is being reduced to 40 km. per hour for all vehicles effective on or about May 31. An inspection of the bridge will be held mid-May, and one lane will be closed during the inspection. Traffic safety measures will be in place. Check the DOT road conditions report for possible delays and watch for and obey all traffic signs and signals. Legal axle roads and spacing allowed.

Buffalo River Bridge (Highway 5 km. 53):

Effective on or about May 31, speed limit across the bridge is being reduced to all vehicles. Check the DOT road conditions report for possible delays and watch for and obey all traffic signs and signals. Legal axle roads and spacing allowed.

Hay River to Pine Point Bridge (Highway 5 km. 2):

Effective on or about May 31, speed limit across the bridge is being reduced to all vehicles. Check the DOT road conditions report for possible delays and obey all traffic signs and signals. Legal axle roads and spacing allowed.

BISON ALERTS

 Bison season - the period of the year when bison collisions are at their highest - runs from mid-August through December. However, bison can be found on Highways 3, 5, and 7 at any time of the year.

Highway 3 - numerous herds of bison can be found alongside all parts of Highway 3. In the past number of years, there have been bison collisions on both sides of Frank's Channel starting at approximately 20 km. from Yellowknife. The entire Highway 3 should be considered bison country with the risk of collision steadily increasing as you travel from Yellowknife to Fort Providence.

Highway 5 - Bison may be anywhere along Highway 5 in and out of Wood Buffalo National Park.

Highway 7 - Bison may be found from km. 0 to 160.

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SUMMARY OF HIGHWAY CONDITIONS

HIGHWAY 1 (Mackenzie Highway)
Roads throughout the Dehcho are in fair driving condition and there are rough sections.
Motorists are advised that the guard rail on the Martin River Bridge is damaged Km 488.7 use caution when driving over the bridge.  There is also work being done on the Willow River Bridge, watch for men and equipment on the bridge, and obey all traffic control personnel and signs and expect short delays.

NO OVERWEIGHT LOADS PERMITTED:  Hwy 1 is at 75% Legal Axle weight from Km 188-Km 690.  
Commercial Traffic Advisory: Hwy 7 - Km 0 - Km 38 is restricted to 100% legal loads. Km 38 to Km 254 is restricted 75% legal axle weight.
Jean Marie Access Road is restricted to 90% Legal Axle weight. 
 
HIGHWAY 2 (Hay River Highway)
Drive at a speed appropriate for the road conditions. Be prepared to stop with little or no notice.
 
HIGHWAY 3 (Yellowknife Highway) 
Drive at a speed appropriate for the road conditions. Be prepared to stop with little or no notice.

Bison can be found along Highway 3 from the Mackenzie River to within 30 km. of Yellowknife. The largest concentration of bison is within 70 kilometres either side of Behchoko. Most bison collisions occur after dusk or in snowy conditions. Drive at a speed appropriate for the weather and road conditions, prepared to stop with little or no notice. Do NOT overdrive your headlights - driving at more than the speed limit, even in good driving conditions, makes it almost certain you will be unable to see a bison with your headlights at night in time to avoid a collision.
 
HIGHWAY 4 (Ingraham Trail)
Drive at a speed appropriate for the road conditions; be prepared to stop with little or no notice.
 
Construction activity is taking place on Highway 4. Remember, speed fines double in construction zones.

HIGHWAY 5 (Fort Smith Highway)
Drive at a speed appropriate for the road conditions; be prepared to stop with little or no notice.

Be aware of the likelihood of bison on the road.

Be aware of the possibility of sinkholes on the road. 

HIGHWAY 6 (Fort Resolution Highway)
Drive at a speed appropriate for the road conditions, prepared to stop with little or no notice.
 
HIGHWAY 7 (Liard Highway)

BC Border to Fort Liard (Km 0 to Km 38) is in fair driving condition.  Watch for maintenance equipment working and drive with caution.
Commercial Traffic Advisory: Highway 7, Km 0 to Km 38 is retricted to 100% legal loads and Km 38 to Km 254 is restricted to vehicles weighing less than 4500 kgs. 
 
HIGHWAY 8 (Dempster Highway)
Drive at a speed appropriate for the road conditions, prepared to stop with little or no notice.

This highway is subject to frequent closures due to weather. Check weather and road conditions before travel.