The Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway is officially open.
It was a wide scale event, even receiving a shoutout from notable figures like astronaut Chris Hadfield and the team at Google.
“Dear @googlemaps – there is a road here now. Canada’s newest and most exotic road trip: http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/tu…”
Dear @googlemaps – there is a road here now. Canada’s newest and most exotic road trip: https://t.co/WMtEqgYmN8 pic.twitter.com/M0eAr3t37N
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) November 12, 2017
“Thanks, Chris! Such an important and vital new route to Canada’s Arctic coast. We’ve added the road to Google Maps. ??”
Thanks, Chris! Such an important and vital new route to Canada's Arctic coast. We've added the road to Google Maps. ??
— Google Maps (@googlemaps) November 14, 2017
Governor General Julie Payette was in attendance.
She was amazed by the work that was done.
“This is an extraordinary engineering endeavor,” said Payette. “A road constructed over difficult terrain, mostly at night in frigid temperatures – congratulations to the crew, to the engineers and everyone who has participated.”
Our morning show host, Tom Teichroeb (Tommy T), was on site for the opening.
“The ribbon has been cut, and the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk highway is officially open”
The ribbon has been cut, and the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk highway is officially open pic.twitter.com/jpoMHWqkea
— Tom Teichroeb (@TomTeichroeb) November 15, 2017
Premier Bob McLeod spoke at the opening.
McLeod mentioned how momentous yesterday was.
“It’s an honour to be here on a day that was first envisionedin the 1960’s, and is finally finished today,” said McLeod. “This is an important day for the NWT and Canada. Today, we open a road that connects our country from sea to sea to sea.”
The highway marks the first time in Canadian history that all three coast lines are officially connected.