Douglas Kuluk, a Master Ice Road Engineer and Arctic Infrastructure Specialist, is using his recent feature spotlight to call attention to the growing threat climate change poses to northern transportation. For more than 20 years, Kuluk has designed and built the seasonal ice roads that supply food, fuel, and medical resources to remote First Nations and northern communities.
But as winters shorten, these lifelines are under increasing strain. “We can’t pretend it’s the same as it was twenty years ago,” says Kuluk. “The freeze comes later, and the thaw comes sooner. Every year we adapt, but the margin for error is shrinking.”
The Stakes Are High
Seasonal ice roads support nearly 70 percent of Manitoba’s northern communities and are critical for transporting goods to areas without permanent highways. A single kilometer of all-season gravel road can cost over $2 million to build in the North, compared to pennies on the dollar for ice roads. Without them, grocery prices can spike by 200 to 300 percent, and fuel shortages become common.
Kuluk has seen the impact firsthand. “It wasn’t just about moving trucks,” he says of a 400-kilometer road he once led in northern Manitoba. “It was about connecting families, lowering grocery bills, and making sure medicine got through.”
Innovation and Tradition Working Together
Kuluk emphasizes that solutions cannot rely on technology alone. He points to decades of collaboration with Indigenous elders who bring unmatched knowledge of the land and its rhythms. “Elders taught me things no textbook ever could,” he says. “Respecting that wisdom is as important as any engineering formula.”
At the same time, he is pioneering the use of satellite imaging, ground-penetrating radar, and modular floating roadways to extend safety and access. These innovations are designed to create hybrid winter-summer supply routes capable of withstanding climate extremes.
A Call to Action
Kuluk believes ordinary Canadians and policymakers alike have a role to play.
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Stay informed: Learn how northern supply chains affect the cost of living for families across Canada.
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Support adaptation: Advocate for infrastructure investment and research into alternatives like hybrid transport systems.
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Respect traditional knowledge: Encourage partnerships with Indigenous communities that protect land and culture.
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Reduce emissions: Small actions like conserving energy or supporting renewable projects help extend ice road seasons.
“The North teaches you humility,” Kuluk says. “You don’t conquer it. You work with it. And if you listen, it shows you the way forward.
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Douglas Kuluk
Douglas Kuluk is a Master Ice Road Engineer and Arctic Infrastructure Specialist based in Manitoba, Canada. With over two decades of experience, he has led the design and construction of frozen road networks that sustain northern communities, mining operations, and energy projects. He lectures regularly at the University of Manitoba and international Arctic engineering conferences.
Contact:
info@DouglasKuluk.com
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