Just in time to make those Christmas Day commutes easier, the Dettah Ice Road is expected to open ahead of its average expected date.
The twenty-year average opening date for the Dettah Ice Road is listed as December 24th, however, the latest measuring shows that the road is almost ready to go. Profiling shows that the lake has almost reached the 33.5 centimetres of ice thickness required to allow motor vehicles to drive along. More profiling is set to take place over the weekend.
The GNWT Department of Infrastructure is reminding motorists of a few safety tips to keep in mind when traversing winter and ice roads.
- Follow Speed Limits: Winter and Ice roads have their own speed limits that must be followed at all times. Moving too fast can create waves underneath the ice, which can then lead to cracks across the ice, especially along the shoreline. Heavy vehicles are advised to keep extra space between themselves and other vehicles.
- Respect Load Limits: Heavy loads can increase the pressure on the ice. Winter and Ice roads also have their own weight limits in place to protect both the road and the drivers.
- Stay updated on conditions: Winter roads can close and reopen throughout the season based on weather conditions. Current conditions can be found on DriveNWT.ca.
- Watch for Visibility Hazards: high winds and drifting snow can obscure the road and hide markers and hazards
Crews are always keeping an eye out for cracks and other signs of deterioration.
