The Dease Lake Trail Planning and Feasibility Study will assess options for establishing a safe active transportation connection between the Dease Lake Reserve and the Dease Lake community. The purpose of this project is to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by identifying a viable route that provides an alternative to travelling near the high-traffi c corridor of Highway 37.
This study will undertake a detailed evaluation of potential trail alignments, with a specifi c focus on areas within the reserve boundary and other non-MoTI lands to ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements. Key activities will include spatial mapping, on-the-ground conditions review, identifi cation of safety risks for vulnerable road users, and analysis of physical, cultural, environmental, and jurisdictional constraints. The project will also develop preliminary concept options, outline permitting considerations, and prepare high-level cost estimates and recommended implementation steps.
The resulting planning document will provide Tahltan Band Council with a clear, technically informed pathway for advancing safe active transportation infrastructure in future phases, supporting long-term community mobility and safety goals.
Tahltan Band Council is working to support safer, more accessible travel for community members who walk or bike between Dease Lake Reserve and the Dease Lake community. Many people travel this route every day, and for some—especially youth, Elders, and families without vehicles—walking is their only reliable way to get between locations. At this time, the only available route requires people to walk directly beside Highway 37. Drafting designs for a safe trail within the community would work towards addressing these long-standing concerns. It would provide a protected route that allows people to move between two central locations without being exposed to highway conditions. This is especially important for students walking to school, Elders visiting family or community services, and anyone who relies on walking for their daily needs. Creating safer ways to move across the land supports community well-being, connection, and independence—values that are deeply rooted in Tahltan identity.
Before any improvements can be made, Tahltan Band Council needs a clear understanding of where a trail can safely and legally be built. Because parts of the area fall under MoTI jurisdiction, a feasibility study is required to identify viable trail alignments on reserve lands or other non-MoTI areas. This planning project is therefore the essential first step in moving toward a long-term solution that keeps people safe, reduces their exposure to highway traffic, and supports safe, connected mobility within the community.
By undertaking this study, Tahltan Band Council is responding directly to community concerns, prioritizing the safety of vulnerable road users, and laying the groundwork for future infrastructure that honours Tahltan values and Vision Zero principles.
Photo source: Unsplash. Photo is shown for illustration purposes only and may not be an accurate representation of the project.
