The Yukon Resource Gateway Program supports infrastructure upgrades of existing roads in the Yukon.
It seeks to improve roads that:
- are nationally significant in connecting the North to the rest of Canada; and
- will provide improved access to northern communities and mineral-rich areas.
These upgrades will help strengthen Arctic security and provide more reliable access to areas with high mineral potential.
The program also provides opportunities through short- and long-term employment options, training and benefits to:
- Yukoners;
- First Nations;
- communities; and
- industry.
Completed and proposed project components and agreements
The Gateway project has 9 components across 8 Traditional Territories .
| Project components | Affected First Nation(s) |
|---|---|
| Carmacks Bypass (Complete) |
|
| Robert Campbell Highway (km 114 to171) |
|
| Robert Campbell Highway (km 354 to 414) |
|
| Silver Trail |
|
| Dempster Highway |
|
| Nahanni Range Road |
|
| Casino Road |
|
| Freegold Road |
|
| North Canol Road |
|
We've committed to having agreements with First Nations governments affected by projects. This sets a high standard for partnership and collaboration.
Currently, we have agreements with:
- the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun;
- Liard First Nation; and
- Ross River Dena Council.
We previously had an agreement with Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation for the Carmack Bypass, which is now complete.
Assessment and regulatory processes
Each component must follow the Yukon’s assessment and regulatory process. This process includes opportunities for public input and consultation with affected Yukon First Nations governments.
How the program is funded
The program is currently valued at $398.4 million.
The contributions to the program are broken down as follows:
- Up to $247.3 million from the Government of Canada
- Up to $124.5 million from the Government of Yukon
- Currently $26.4 million from the mining industry
The program’s funding expires in March 2031.
The contribution agreement
The agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon was formally signed in 2021. This was after a project application amendment in 2019.
In 2025, it was amended to include the Dempster Highway as a project component and update estimated project costs.
Completed project components
Carmacks Bypass
Building a 5.1-kilometre bypass road, which includes a bridge, around Carmacks.
This component was substantially completed in October 2023. The total eligible costs for this component were $32.8 million.
Proposed project components
The project components must be completed by 2031.
View a map of all the components.
Nahanni Range Road
- Conducting a full bridge replacement.
- Rehabilitating a bridge and improving its foundation.
The total eligible costs for this component are $10 million.
Robert Campbell Highway (kilometre 114 to 232)
Conducting spot repairs and replacing culverts.
The total eligible costs for this component are $60 million.
Robert Campbell Highway (kilometre 354.9 to 414.4)
Rebuilding the road.
The total eligible costs for this component are $60 million.
Silver Trail
- Doing spot repairs on the road.
- Rebuilding a portion of the road.
- Replacing the Mayo River Bridge.
The total eligible costs for this component are $76 million.
Dempster Highway
- Building and replacing structural culverts.
- Conducting highway improvements in various locations.
- Implementing additional safety measures.
The total eligible costs for this component are $45 million.
Casino Road
- Rebuilding the Casino Road and installing culverts.
- Building bridge crossings near the beginning of the road.
- Building stream crossings to meet current fish passage and environmental requirements.
The total eligible costs for this component are $37.8 million.
Freegold Road
Replacing the bridge on the existing Freegold Road.
The total eligible costs for this component are $10 million.
North Canol Road
Conducting a full or partial replacement of all bridges along the road.
The total eligible costs for this component are $31 million.
Project agreements with Yukon First Nations
Construction of the Carmacks Bypass and Nordendskiold Bridge
The Government of Yukon and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation reached an agreement for the Carmacks Bypass component in July 2019.
The contract was awarded to Pelly Construction Ltd. Work began in November 2021 and was substantially completed in October 2023.
Upgrades to the Nahanni Range Road
The Government of Yukon and the Liard First Nation reached an agreement for this component in January 2020.
Improvements to the Robert Campbell Highway (kilometre 114 to 171)
The Government of Yukon and the Liard First Nation reached an agreement for this component in June 2020.
Upgrades to the Silver Trail
The Government of Yukon and First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun reached an agreement for this component in March 2021.
Improvements to the Robert Campbell Highway (kilometre 354.9 to 414.4)
The Government of Yukon and Ross River Dena Council reached a revised project agreement for this component was reached in July 2025.
Improvements to the North Canol Road
A revised project agreement for this component will be required with the Ross River Dena Council.