With a federal minister in town, the Yukon government held a news conference Friday to go over improvements at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, which had previously been announced.

Pablo Rodriguez, the federal minister of Transport, helped Yukon Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke announce approximately $250 million worth of work at the airport, particularly the refurbishment of the main runway, which is slated for the next two years.

The secondary, or parallel runway, has already seen improvements made to it so it can serve as the substitute to the main runway while work is ongoing.

In a news release after the conference, the Yukon government provided a summary of what is happening.

Clarke stated, “Our government is proud to invest $62 million towards these projects. We are grateful for the Government of Canada’s contribution of more than $186 million to further strengthen this important work.”

The federal contribution stems from the National Trade Corridors Fund.

From the total funding, $160.6 million has been designated for the main runway replacement contract, secured by Flatiron Construction Company.

The remaining funds will be assigned to various airport projects that are currently in the planning phases.

“The Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is vital to our territory,” Clarke added.

“It keeps us connected, allows for critical medical services, supports our tourism and resource sectors and contributes to Arctic security efforts.

“By replacing the main runway, we will continue to ensure the airport meets the needs of the territory.”

“This funding will also go towards making improvements to increase reliability and safety including additional lighting on the runway and other vital upgrades,” Clarke added.

“While the main runway is a large project, we expect minimal disruptions for the public. We are committed to ensuring a seamless travelling experience for Yukoners and visitors to our territory during the construction of these projects.”

Clarke appeared to have a little more difficulty tackling questions as to what other benefits the work would have.

“I think the primary necessity is that the material under the main runway dates back to 1943. It was identified as a priority for the government,” he said. “We are doing this preemptively.”

One option to improve overall service would be to have the airport upgraded to a Class 5 facility, he said, but that’s an option for the future.

It’s currently classified as a Class 4, which has certain restrictions on how it operates.

That would require upgrading the terminal building, constructed in the mid-1980s, which would require another phase of the project.

“That must be supported by a business case, and Highways and Public Works is currently examining the cost and value (of that), Clarke said. “We will look at that.”

Service capacity of the current terminal building would be key, as well as upgrading the firefighting capacity.

“I am very much looking forward to sharing the progress of this project and showing Yukoners that we are making significant investments in the Yukon’s aviation infrastructure,” Clarke added.

“As the largest airport in the Yukon, the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is critical to our transportation network.”

The projects will see the Whitehorse air maintenance facility replaced, and a new rotary operations (helicopter) area.

“We’re investing in the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport to support the growth of the tourism and economic sectors in Yukon,” said Rodriguez, who left Whitehorse over the weekend.

“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.”

Yukon MP Brendan Hanley called the federal investment “a vote of confidence in one of the key economic sectors of the 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,” Hanley said.

The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada.

A total of $4.6 billion over 11 years (2017-2028) has been allocated to the program.

The fund finances improvements to Canada’s roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade.