Sea to sea to sea: For the first time ever you can now drive to the Arctic Ocean
Canada’s first highway connecting the Northwest Territories to the coast of the Arctic Ocean is about to open.
This is the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, colloquially nicknamed The Arctic Highway, which took four years to build and reportedly cost $299 million. It’s Canada’s first all-weather highway, and once open, the 138 km long stretch will serve as the major route for communities based near it. The New York Times even covered its development in a travel essay last year:
.@Kujawinski talks #ArcticHighway and future of the #NorthwestTerritories: https://t.co/QQ5QPED1Sk pic.twitter.com/paVm2kksW2
— World Policy (@WorldPolicy) April 6, 2016
Initially, it was to be built for easier access to resources in the area, but was then shifted to be more tourist-oriented, as it will give people across Canada a much better chance of seeing what they normally wouldn’t be able to – namely, the Arctic Ocean.
In addition to this, it is said the highway will provide better access to healthcare, education, and social and economical opportunities for the local communities.
Google Maps
It officially opens on November 15 at 10:30 am in Inuvik, and the first drive will take place between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, when its entire length will be travelled.
Highway Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk 🇨🇦 is joined 🌊 🌊🌊 with a Road 😊 opening this week with @GGJuliePayette #Arctic #Highway #NWT pic.twitter.com/vUVWcXyuJu
— Crystal Lennie (@crystal_lennie) November 13, 2017
So, who’s up for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip!?