Highway Improvements Underway in Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario roads and bridges are integral to keeping families and goods moving safely and efficiently. The Ontario government, through the Northern Highways Program, is invested in improving our transportation network and creating jobs across the province." Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines
Ontario Government Creating Jobs, Building a Stronger Economy
Ontario is making major improvements to the province’s highways, roads and bridges, which is supporting more than 20,000 construction jobs across the province and making travel easier for families and businesses.
Key highway improvements in Northern Ontario include:
- Expanding Highway 11-17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon
- Expanding Highway 69 south of Sudbury
- Reconstructing the Noden Causeway near Fort Frances
- Reconstructing more than 16 kilometres of Highway 17 near Terrace Bay
- Reconstructing more than 13 kilometres of Highway 535 near Noelville
- Reconstructing more than 11 kilometres of Highway 66 near Kirkland Lake
- Replacing the Otasawian River Bridge west of Hearst
- Replacing the Little Wabigoon River, Melgund River and Nugget Creek bridges near Dryden
- Reconstructing more than 24 kilometres Highway 144 near Cartier
- Reconstructing more than 16 kilometres of Highway 124 near Magnetawan
Investing in modern infrastructure is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, help Ontario seize new opportunities for economic growth and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- The 2013 Budget proposes an investment of more than $35 billion over the next three years, which would support over 100,000 jobs on average each year.
- Approximately 5,500 jobs will be created or sustained in Northern Ontario during this year’s construction season.
- Northern Ontario has more than 11,000 kilometres of provincial highway.
- Ontario uses new technology and greener construction practices whenever possible, including recycling existing pavement, using recycled and shredded tires for bridge embankment fill, and rapid bridge replacement, which can reduce a year of traffic delays down to two days.
- Since 2003, the Ontario government has invested nearly $5 billion in northern highways.
- Since 2003, the province has improved 3,146 kilometres of highway and 187 bridges, and constructed 387 kilometres of new four-lane highway along with 102 new bridges throughout Northern Ontario.
