Mile 102 Dempster Highway Airport

The airport was closed for economic reasons and obsolescence. Its sole purpose was to serve as a logistical support base during the construction of the Dempster Highway (1959-1979). It allowed for the transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies to remote construction camps. Once the all-weather highway was completed and opened to the public, the need for this and other similar construction-era airstrips was eliminated. The high cost of maintaining a remote gravel strip with no regular traffic made its continued operation unfeasible.

The site is an abandoned and unmaintained gravel airstrip. Satellite imagery shows the clear outline of the former runway running parallel to the Dempster Highway. It is no longer used for any official aviation purposes and has no facilities, markings, or lighting. The strip is now effectively a long, straight highway pull-off or staging area. It may be used informally by highway maintenance crews, by truckers for rest stops, or by travelers as a scenic viewpoint. While a pilot could potentially use it for an emergency landing, it is not a recognized or maintained airfield.

The Mile 102 Dempster Highway Airport was a critical piece of infrastructure during one of Canada's most significant northern engineering projects. Its historical importance lies in its role as a temporary, utilitarian airstrip that enabled the construction of the Dempster Highway through the remote and challenging terrain of the Yukon. When active, it would have handled rugged Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, DHC-3 Otter, and DHC-6 Twin Otter. These aircraft were essential for ferrying workers, food, fuel, and parts, allowing construction to proceed year-round. The airport was a lifeline to the isolated work camps along the highway's path.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Mile 102 Dempster Highway Airport. The original purpose for its existence is gone, and there is no modern economic or logistical demand that would justify the significant cost of rehabilitating and maintaining the strip for certified aviation use. Air services for the region are consolidated at larger, fully-equipped airports such as Dawson City Airport (CYDA) and Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport (CYEV).