FAQs

What is the HART: Combined Intersection Upgrades project?

The HART: Combined Intersection Upgrades project is exploring design options for intersection upgrades at Range Road & Two Mile Hill Road and Alaska Highway & Hamilton Boulevard / Two Mile Hill Road and the surrounding streets. By working together, the City of Whitehorse and Government of Yukon are committed to ensuring that two of the area's most important intersections are safe and accessible for all road users. 

Through the HART: Combined Intersection Upgrades project, we will explore a range of design options to reduce congestion, improve mobility, and enhance safety at these intersections. Our goal is to ensure that these intersections align with the needs of people walking, biking, driving and riding transit.

Why are changes being proposed to these two intersections?

The Range Road & Two Mile Hill Road and Alaska Highway & Hamilton Boulevard / Two Mile Hill Road intersections are both important, major intersections within the City of Whitehorse and are heavily used by a variety of road users, including people walking, biking, driving, and riding transit. Through the HART: Combined Intersection Upgrades project, the City and Government of Yukon is looking to improve the safety, accessibility and convenience of these intersections for all road users.

Didn’t the City undertake a conceptual design study for the Range Road and Two-Mile Hill Intersection in 2020? Is this a repeat of the same project?

This project will build off of the recommendations from the 2020 Range Road and Two Mile Hill Road Intersection studies as well as a number of other previous studies that considered the study area. This study is the first that will look at both intersections at the same time and ensure appropriate considerations for how the intersections operate as a system instead of stand-alone intersections.

What is being done now to improve conditions at these intersections?

As part of the City of Whitehorse Transportation Master Plan, a review of existing intersections was completed. Through this study, several recommendations were made to improve the flow of traffic at both intersections for motor vehicles and those walking and biking.  Interim signal timing changes have been made in response to the traffic impacts created by the closure of Robert Service Way due to the April landslide.

Modified intersection signal timing based off the findings from the Transportation Master Plan will be implemented at the intersections in this study in the spring of 2023, once Robert Service Way is reopened, to optimize the existing intersection operations. No physical changes will be completed as a part of the traffic signal modifications.

How does this project align with the City of Whitehorse and Government of Yukon’s overall transportation and sustainability goals?

The City’s transportation and sustainability goals are well documented in the Whitehorse Sustainability Plan 2015 – 2050 and the Transportation Master Plan, which is currently being updated.

The City is committed to being a sustainable community that is a leader in managing and conserving wilderness, energy, and resources for the future. One of the goals of the Whitehorse Sustainability Plan is to improve the efficient movement of people via transit, biking, walking, and multi- and single-occupant vehicles. When people shift to transit and more active travel modes, it improves the health of our community and environment, and reduces GHG emissions and impacts to City infrastructure. 

Through the first round of engagement for the Transportation Master Plan update, we heard that community members want to see more transportation options for all ages, abilities, incomes, and seasons and improved traffic safety.

The HART: Combined Intersection Upgrades project will support the City’s transportation and sustainability goals by improving the flow of traffic and providing active transportation facilities that are safe and comfortable for users of all ages and abilities.

What are the current traffic conditions at these intersections?

The Range Road & Two Mile Hill Road and Alaska Highway & Hamilton Boulevard / Two Mile Hill Road intersections are both major intersections within the City of Whitehorse and are key connections for commercial and emergency response vehicles.

This intersection is spacious and confusing for many road users. Through the 2020 Range Road and Two Mile Hill Intersection study, conflicts were observed between vehicles turning in either direction. It can be difficult to see pedestrians and cyclists using the crosswalks. There are significant concerns about the safety of active transportation users at this intersection.

Currently, this intersection is supporting more vehicles that it has capacity for. This results in traffic backing up

Hamilton Boulevard / Two Mile Hill Road corridor was identified as a top priority location for improvements in the 2016 Whitehorse Corridor 6-year improvement program.

What are the current safety concerns at these intersections?

A number of safety concerns have been identified by community members and observations. Some of the key concerns include the following.

• Permissive left turns at both intersections.
• High speed right turns at the Alaska Highway intersection crossing the route for people walking and biking.
• Missing active transportation connections through the study area.
• Poor lighting and limited visibility during nighttime hours.
• Long vehicle queues leading to dangerous motor vehicle activity.
• Large intersections with long crossing distances for people walking and biking.

How will the preferred conceptual design be selected?

The conceptual design options are being developed based on technical analysis and engagement with community members and key stakeholders. The preferred design option will be one that meets the City and Government of Yukon’s goals and objectives, including:

• Improve safety for all road users, including those walking, biking, and driving.
• Provide active transportation facilities that are accessible for people of all ages, abilities, incomes, and be accessible throughout all seasons.
• Improve traffic flow through and around the intersections.

What happens after the project is complete and a conceptual design is proposed?

The City of Whitehorse will take the lead on construction for the Range Road intersection upgrades, and the Government of Yukon will lead the Alaska Highway/Hamilton Boulevard construction. The timing of the construction will be determined by each government, taking into consideration budget constraints and future priorities. The City of Whitehorse and the Government of Yukon are committed to working collaboratively to ensure this important infrastructure project is completed efficiently and effectively.

How has grade separation for vehicle traffic (interchange, elevated roundabout, flyovers etc.) been considered in the options development?

At the initial improvement options screening stage, the project team screened out grade separation ideas for vehicle traffic. Interchanges often involve complex layouts with multiple lanes, ramps, and conflict points, which can be confusing and complex to navigate for people walking and cycling. This would not align with project goals of improving safety and comfort for vulnerable road users. These types of treatments also require higher capital costs. 

How will the separated bike path and sidewalk connect to the facilities on TMH Road east of the study area?

The separated bike path and sidewalk will tie into the active transportation infrastructure that exist outside of the study area.

How will grade separated crossings for pedestrians and cyclists be incorporated into the two options?

The project team recognize the importance of providing safer crossings and are considering grade separation for active transportation users irrespective of which design option is preferred. Community members are encouraged to participate in the survey to provide feedback on the proposed desire lines for grade separated crossings and any other opportunities that should 

What happens after the project is complete and a conceptual design is proposed?

The City of Whitehorse will take the lead on construction for the Range Road intersection upgrades, and the Government of Yukon will lead the Alaska Highway/Hamilton Boulevard construction. The timing of the construction will be determined by each government, taking into consideration budget constraints and future priorities. The City of Whitehorse and the Government of Yukon are committed to working collaboratively to ensure this important infrastructure project is completed efficiently and effectively.

Why is improving traffic flow important for this project?

While improving the safety and comfort of active transportation users is a key objective of this project, ensuring that vehicle traffic can operate safely and efficiently is also an important consideration. This is because a primary function of major arterials and highways such as Alaska Highway and Two Mile Hill Road is to facilitate the efficient movement and transport of goods and vehicles. Feedback received from Round 1 of engagement also highlighted improving the flow of traffic in the study area as one of the top priorities.  

How can I stay informed about the HART: Combined Intersection Upgrades project?

We are excited for you to follow along and get involved in this project!

To receive project updates, subscribe here. All engagement opportunities will be shared on the project page and emailed to subscribers.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the project, please use the “Ask a Question or Make a Suggestion” tool. Someone from our project team will respond as soon as possible.