Yukoners 'generally' favour Alaska Highway plan: report

Yukonerslean slightly in favourofthe territorial government's proposed modifications to the Whitehorse corridor of the Alaska Highway, according to a new report.

The report, preparedby consulting firm CH2M Hill, isbased on public consultations carried outlast spring. Itsaysthe balance of opinion is "generally in favour" of the overall plan to modify a 40-kilometre stretch of the Alaska Highway in Whitehorse.

Forty-fiveper cent of respondents agree the proposed plan balances local and regional transportation needs and will benefit Whitehorse residents andYukoners, while 39 per cent disagree. They don't seea balance between community, environmentand economic considerations in the plan.

ScottKent, Yukon ministers of highways,says more work needs to be done on the plan and acknowledgedconcerns about impact on the environment, businesses and on other users like pedestrians and cyclists.

"The one thing that I can assureYukonersis that no roadwork will be undertaken until we'vereprioritizedthe plan and engaged further with some stakeholders, with the exception of any work that's deemed necessary to safety concerns," says Kent.

The long termplan includes twinning the highway through Whitehorse, rebuilding intersections and adding passing and turning lanes. It also includes adding frontage roads and making changes to the adjacentmulti-use trail.

The reportmentionsa petition lodged by residents of Takhini, Valleyview and Prospector Trailer Park, who have concerns aboutpedestrian crossings, increases to air and noise pollution and safety concerns.