Newsletter 4: May 10, 2024

Range Road North closure starting May 11th

Beginning May 11, Range Road will experience closures so the City of Whitehorse’s contractor, Norcope Enterprises, can complete the Takhini Sanitary Trunk Main project. There are two phases to the project.

1. During the first phase, Range Road will be closed between University Drive and Mountain View Drive; access to Yukon University, the Corrections Centre and Takhini School will only be possible from Two Mile Hill.

2. During the second phase, Range Road will be closed between University Drive and Takhini School; access to Yukon University and the Corrections Centre will only be available via Mountain View Drive.

The entire project is expected to last 9 weeks. For full details, view the City of Whitehorse’s Instagram post.

Update on HART Combined Intersection Upgrades

The engagement period for the HART Combined Intersection Upgrade presented two options for the Range Road/Two Mile Hill/Alaska Highway intersections. The board feels that neither option prioritizes the safety and connectivity of active transportation and that the options prioritize traffic off the Alaska Highway at the expense of cars moving off Range Road. Active transportation and managing the traffic volume on Range Road were identified as high priorities by members during our recent neighbourhood engagement.

The Takhini Neighbourhood Association Board of Directors is submitting a letter to the City of Whitehorse to say that the options need to be reevaluated to consider the following principles:

1. Prioritize the safety and efficiency of active transportation.

2. Effectively move traffic through and out of Takhini neighbourhood via Range Road.

We plan to remain engaged on this issue into the future.

Update on relocation of Whitehorse Elementary School

On April 24, a group of Takhini residents received a presentation from the Government of Yukon's Department of Education regarding placement of Whitehorse Elementary School on the Takhini Educational Reserve. Unfortunately, the information remains embargoed and cannot be made public. The Association awaits confirmation of the final site location from the Department of Education and continues to request a traffic impact analysis for the school's relocation.

Update on McIntyre Creek Park

A recent announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding between Government of Yukon, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, the City of Whitehorse and Parks Canada are committed to working together to protect the Chasàn Chuà / McIntyre Creek area. The Association plans to continue to engage with governments to collaborate on the location of park boundaries and the level of protection a park will establish.

Wildfire awareness event on May 14, 2024

On May 14 at 5:00pm in Juniper Room, Normandy Living Place (468 Range Road) Stu Clark from the Wildfire Awareness Society will be doing a presentation on wildfire preparedness and evacuation and FireSmarting your home and property. For more information contact info@wildfireawareness.org.

Traffic calming on Normandy Road north as part of focus on road safety

The City of Whitehorse is undertaking a focus group on road safety within residential areas. They are seeking a committed group of residents to participate in the implementation of speed limit and traffic calming measures. One of the first roads to be considered for traffic calming is Normandy Road North (from Takhini Elementary to the roundabout).

You can join the panel by contacting City Engineer Mpho Rambau at mpho.rambau@whitehorse.ca with “Road Safety Champions Collaborative” as the subject line.

They are hosting a road safety open house on June 6th from 5 pm to 8 pm. Contact Mpho Rambau regarding the location.

McIntyre Creek cleanup on June 1, 2024

There will be a public clean up on McIntyre Creek on Saturday, June 1st from 10 am until 4 pm near Whistle Bend. This event will include interpretive walks, a BBQ, prizes, and talks about the area's historical and ecological significance. For more information contact communications@yfwmb.ca.

Seeking board member from Takhini West

The Association is seeking a representative from Takhini West to join our board. The time commitment would be about four meetings per year. If you are interested, please reply to this email.