June 1st, 2013
RE: Maintenance of Industrial Road to be discontinued

ATTN: Residents, Businesses and Tourists of Manitouwadge, Greenstone, Hillsport and Area

Recently erected sign on Industrial Road is very difficult to spot, when Mrs. Turner rode along with OntarioNewsNorth.com to show the sign it took 2 passes before we were able to spot it (and we were looking for it specifically). Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

As long time residents of the area, e are writing to express our concern about the recent discussion and posted declaration by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regarding their intention to cease maintenance and care of the Industrial Road which joins Manitouwadge Ontario with Highway 11 and the Municipality of Greenstone.

We find it incredulous that such a decision could be taken without seeking input from the residents, businesses or variety of interest groups that use the road on a regular basis. Had any of the interested parties been given the opportunity to express their concerns we believe it would be ascertained that this road continues to serve as a vital link in the area.  In a region already significantly affected by distance, isolation and accessibility to services, decisions of this magnitude potentially affecting the public, corporations and /or municipalities, should require consultation and discussion with all interested parties and levels of government.

In 1962 a new type of highway was recognized in Ontario’s highway designations; highways built and maintained by industrial corporations for their use opened to public traffic at their own risk; Manitouwadge’s Industrial Road was the first highway of this kind in Ontario.  The road originally built for development of the forestry industry in the area was opened to public use in 1962 when the Minister of Highways had it designated an ‘Industrial Road’ meaning the owners made it open for use by public traffic.

When the road was originally opened to public traffic the greatest advantage was considered to be the reduction off travel times for those travelling between communities on the Trans Canada Highways 17 and 11. For example the distance travelled from Manitouwadge to reach Longlac was reduced from 440km (travelling from Manitouwadge to the Jct of Hwy 614/17 west towards Nipigon then taking Highway 11 to backtrack east to Longlac) to 146km (travellers would now drive directly from Manitouwadge using ‘Industrial Road’ to the junction of Industrial Rd and Hwy 11 where a short approx. 25km drive would see them arrive in Longlac).  Though this was originally considered the primary benefit it was not long before many other benefits were identified and the road proved itself a much needed link between many Northern Communities on the two Highways as well as an important 2nd exit route for Manitouwadge residents should circumstances (planned or emergency) prevent them from exiting the community via Highway 614.

Listed below are just some of the reasons the Industrial Road linking Manitouwadge to Highway 11 is vital and needs to be maintained for public use; we encourage all interested parties to voice any and all concerns to their government officials at every level: **The list of government officials is one of the edits made by OntarioNewsNorth.com to the original letter  having added those we felt may perhaps be relevant to this situation**

• Township of Manitouwadge Town Council,
• Municipality of Greenstone Town Council
• Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha,
• Thunder Bay – Superior North MPP/Minister Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle,
• Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes,
• Thunder Bay- Superior North MP Bruce Hyer
• Minister of Natural Resources David Orazetti
• Minister of Transportation Glen Murray

1. Industrial road provides access to several communities; It is an important link for family and friends in Northern Communities and has been regularly used by minor sports organizations, schools, outdoors groups and tourist (Manitou Falls, High Falls both promoted by Manitouwadge to attract visitors) who could not afford the added costs of travelling to and from the  Municipalities of Greenstone and the Townships of Manitouwadge, White River, Pic Mobert First Nations, etc if forced to do so by using Highway 17 (where it meets Highway 11 at Nipigon).
2. A huge safety issue exists in regards to having a 2nd exit from Manitouwadge (or Caramat) should either of these communities could not use Industrial Road as a 2nd route in or out.  In May 2013 a fire in the area would not have been accessible by land had Industrial Road not been operational.  Have their been any contingency plans created in regards to how emergency crews would access Manitouwadge or how residents would exit in the case of Highway 614 being closed should their be an emergency.
3. Have Canadian National Railway and Via Rail officials and passengers been considered or made aware of the recent decisions in regards to terminating maintenance of Industrial Road? The road currently serves as the only land access to the length of CN rail that runs between Longlac and Hornepayne  Passenger train is also linked by the road for passengers wishing to use Via Rail service at Hillsport Ontario.
4. Hillsport Ontario, in addition to being the only Via Rail station/stop in the area also relies heavily on Industrial Road for transportation to and from the community for essential emergency services (OPP, ambulance, firefighters) as well as tourists and their mail delivery which is done through Canada Post in Manitouwadge (Hillsport residents use P.O. Boxes in Manitouwadge for their mail).
5. Tourists and outdoor enthusiasts in the area rely hon the road for access into designated areas like High Falls, Middle Falls and Manitou Falls (the provincial government has contributed funds to promote these areas – why would it now eliminate access to them?).  Industrial Road provides sole access to some of the regions finest fishing, hunting and wildlife observation development of these tourist attractions has been supported by every level of government (with local municipalities spending significant amounts of time and money) the economic impact of loss of tourism dollars by local/regional businesses should Industrial Road no longer be maintained should not be underestimated.
6. Many individuals operate trap lines in areas only accessible through Industrial Road; these persons need to be consulted (along with all others described above) in regards to how, or if , they will be able to find alternatives means to continue their fur harvesting operations.

In summation, we encourage all individuals and groups potentially affected by the decision to discontinue maintenance of Industrial Road, which will render this road unusable by most (eventually all), to lobby your government representatives and have this situation properly researched to ensure the potential effects are recognized and plans are put in place to address the problems which will follow.

Government must be held accountable to ensure Industrial Road (and potentially others representing vital links in Northern Ontario) have maintenance plans protecting their continued use by the public and communities who depend on them.

With sincere concern,

Fern Narbonne,
Manitouwadge Resident

Bruce Luby,
Manitouwadge Resident