The Yukon government should conduct an open house for Porter Creek and Crestview residents regarding the Alaska Highway expansion project proposed through those subdivisions.

That’s the urging of Geraldine Van Bibber, the Yukon Party MLA for Porter Creek North.

Highways and Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn, meanwhile, says he’s happy to see Van Bibber taking an interest in the project three months after area consultations began.

The open house would allow residents to gain direct information about the proposed highway upgrades set to start this summer, Van Bibber said Wednesday.

She has written to the government to request that this engagement be provided to residents—with the proper health protocols in place—before the Feb. 12 consultation deadline.

“I have heard a variety of concerns and questions about this project from many constituents,” said Van Bibber.

“I am hearing many business owners and residents do not have the proper information about what the project entails.

“An open house would allow them to provide their feedback to government while also getting information on the project.”

A timely meeting would allow businesses and residents to process what they learn and provide feedback before the consultation deadline, she said.

The proposed project is now before the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB).

The government’s website describes elements of its proposal this way:

• safer access on and off the highway;

• safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, including a pedestrian-enabled traffic signal;

• additional lanes to allow for safe turning and travel;

• a non-motorized all ages and abilities (AAA) trail to connect to existing trails;

• the closure of “unsafe and unnecessary: highway accesses; and

• a new frontage road at Laberge Road.

Centennial Street and Lodgepole Lane would be realigned so both roads can be accessed at one intersection.

Fifteenth Avenue and Birch Street would be re-aligned to enter the highway at a safer angle.

Birch Street would be extended to the intersection with Wann Road.

Laberge Road would be directed to a frontage road which would allow drivers to access the highway at signalized intersections at MacDonald Road and Wann Road.

The project would be completed over two years. Construction would begin this spring and be completed by the fall of 2022.

Mostyn told the Star Wednesday afternoon that there wouldn’t be enough time to plan an open house before Feb. 12, but is open to having one later.

However, since November 2020, he said, the government has been conversing with affected property owners and has distributed leaflets about the project.

The government will consider that feedback, as well as the submissions to the YESAB, as it moves forward, Mostyn said.

“I will be happy to have more information for the public, but we have to get past YESAB first,” he said.

More details, and an estimated cost of the project, will be available with the spring tabling of the 2021-22 territorial budget, he added.

As for the improvements made near the North Klondike Highway intersection and in Hillcrest in 2020, Mostyn said, “It’s been gratifying to hear how people have been responding to the improvements.

“There’s been a lot of talk around the work on the Alaska Highway.”

See letter.