It doesn’t go anywhere, but if you need to get out of town for a break, Arviat now has an ice road loop residents can take for a pleasure cruise.
Funding from the federal government circled down through Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Kivalliq Inuit Association and finally the Hamlet of Arviat to clear roads in town.
“Part of that funding was to clear roads so that people can go out and about and drive around, so they’re not always holed up in their homes,” said Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr.
The Nuvuk ice road loop is about 10 kilometres long, leaving town from one part, circling the point and coming back in another part of town.
The goal of the road is to provide an opportunity for residents to get out of town, ease their minds and take a joy ride, “rather than just driving around and around in town,” said Savikataaq Jr.
The hamlet will be maintaining it this winter for as long as the maintenance funding lasts.
“It’s quite expensive to maintain these roads,” said Savikataaq Jr., saying storms are the biggest factor in how long the road will be open, as they take a lot of resources to clear afterward.
The hamlet is also about halfway finished making an ice road to Wolf Creek south of town.
“Quite a few people pick up ice from that (creek),” said Savikataaq Jr.
Wolf Creek is about 10 km from town as well, and that road will also be temporary and dependent on funding.
The hamlet will be announcing when it is finished and ready to drive on.
Savikataaq Jr. went to check out the Nuvuk ice road loop in person the day it opened on Jan. 14 and said a few cars were already out and enjoying the road.
