Yukon's transportation infrastructure is largely focussed on road and air access. Yukon also has deep water port access through Alaska. This infrastructure is managed by Government of Yukon's Department of Highways and Public Works.
Roads
Yukon maintains 4,800 kilometres of all weather roads that can accommodate loads up to 77,000 kg. Within this highway system, 250 kilometres are paved and 1,900 kilometres surfaced with bituminous surface treatment (BST), a thin asphalt membrane. The remainder is gravel. The Yukon highway system contains 129 bridges. With the exception of Old Crow (accessible by air), every Yukon community is connected to the highway system.
Air
The Yukon airport system contains one international, two regional and 10 community airports, as well as 16 aerodromes. These facilities are exclusively operated by the Government of Yukon. Yukon is serviced by three scheduled carriers – Air Canada, Air North and First Air – as well as several local and international charter companies. Some 200,000 passengers travel through Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport each year, making its size comparable to that of the airport serving Saint John, New Brunswick.
Port Access
Yukon has strong historic links to the marine transportation network via Alaska, its neighbour to the west, through ports such as Skagway and Haines. Both are easily accessible along Yukon and Alaska highways and have long been used by industry in Yukon, particularly the mining and tourism industries. Alaskan ports are an integral part of the Yukon transportation system and should be considered as a strategic link in any such assessment of this system.
Ferries
The George Black Ferry Yukon River Crossing in Dawson City is a free service that runs 24 hours per day except Wednesday mornings, when it is shuts down for servicing between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. The Dawson City Chamber of Commerce runs a commercial priority pass system for local commercial businesses.
Click here for more information or call (867) 993-5441 or (867) 993-5344.
The Pelly Barge on Pelly River crossing in Ross River is a free service that runs from 8:am to 5:00 pm daily during the summer.
