While the NRRM is situated in the northeast corner of British Columbia, the region features a well-developed transportation system that provides critical services to industry, workers, residents and tourists.
A variety of transportation services including rail, air and truck-based transport are available in the Northern Rockies. For a detailed listing of transportation options and related businesses, please see the Fort Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce Business Directory.
Air
The NRRM boasts a modern airport that services a variety of aircraft, ranging from small recreation and flight-training airplanes to larger corporate, regional and commercial planes.
In addition to a number of aviation, mechanical and support companies, the Northern Rockies Regional Airport is fully serviced by Central Mountain Air. Frequent service to Prince George allows passengers to easily connect to international markets through the Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver international airports.
Highway
The NRRM is traversed by the Alaska Highway as the primary arterial roadway connecting the Yukon and Alaska to more southerly points. From Dawson Creek, the Alaska Highway extends almost 970 km to Lower Post in British Columbia where it then enters the Yukon and connects through to Alaska.
Highway 77 connects to the Alaska Highway and is the primary road link to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
For up-to-date road conditions, please refer to DriveBC.
Rail
CN Rail provides rail service to the Northern Rockies, although locals have seen the service decline in recent years (BC Chamber of Commerce 2017).
Currently, there are two competing railway proposals that would see a rail line built from Alberta to Alaska serving as an oil-by-rail route, where oil could be transported by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) to Valdez, Alaska (BIV, 2017). Both proposed lines are at a preliminary stage and no firm action to move forward has occurred to date. However, the recent proposal by Alberta Alaska Rail Development Corporation has gained the support of Fort Nelson First Nation.
Bus
The Municipality is serviced by BC Bus North, a public intercity bus service created by the Province of British Columbia after Greyhound Canada cancelled services in BC, leaving the Highway 16 and Highway 97 corridors without passenger transportation options.
Medical Travel
The region features several medical travel assistance programs that help people who must travel outside the community to access medical services. Visit the Medical Travel Assistance Programs page for more information.
Freight and Packages
As a regional hub, there is a corresponding well-developed transportation and warehousing local labour force. Fort Nelson has many freight and courier companies ranging from hot-shot services to long-haul companies.