The ice road connecting the Rae and Edzo neighbourhoods in Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories, is closing on April 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. due to seasonal thawing and safety concerns.
The Kǫ̀ Gocho Sportsplex Centre, acting on behalf of the Community Government of Behchokǫ̀, issued the notice to ensure public safety as warmer temperatures affect road conditions. Residents who travel between these sections of the community are advised to plan their trips using alternative routes before the afternoon cutoff.
Behchokǫ̀ is the largest Tłıchǫ community in the territory, with approximately 1,746 to 2,000 residents living in the neighbourhoods of Rae, Edzo, and Frank Channel. While the ice road provides a convenient seasonal connection, the primary year-round link between Rae and Edzo remains the Frank Channel Bridge. That crossing, originally built in 1960, is currently undergoing a $120.7 million replacement project.
The closure of the local ice road is consistent with broader seasonal patterns across the region. The Tłıchǫ Winter Road system, which serves the communities of Gamètì and Wekweètì, has already closed for the season. Similarly, the Dettah Ice Road typically finishes its season around mid-April.
According to reports from the Government of the Northwest Territories, the region is warming at a rate four to five times faster than the global average. This trend has led to shorter winter seasons, with ice roads often closing approximately two weeks earlier each spring than they did historically.
