A bypass for Highway 21 at Unity is coming close to completion.

The Ministry of Highways describes the bypass as infrastructure that supports economic growth while improving safety in the area.

At a cost of $5.6 million, the Highway 21 project begins at the junction of Highway 14 and ends 2 kilometers north of the junction with the Canadian Pacific rail line.

The two kilometre bypass includes grading and asphalt surfacing and the construction of one kilometre of additional service roads. It is also where North West Terminal plans to develop what its CEO Jason Skinner describes as a world class processing and transportation hub that will be accessed from the realigned Highway 21.

The project is a partnership between the Ministry and the Town of Unity, the RM of Round Valley and the North West Terminal (NWT).

The existing Highway 21 runs through a residential area of the Town of Unity and has seen increased truck traffic over a number of years. Concerns with truck volumes and proximity to residential areas, and the deterioration of the existing highway led to the recommendation to relocate Highway 21 to the east side of the community.