NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AND MINES
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Northern Highways Program Improving Roads and Bridges, Creating Jobs
Ontario continues to expand and improve highways throughout Northern Ontario, making travel safer and more efficient for residents, visitors and industry while sustaining and creating more than 5,000 jobs annually.
The government's investment in the 2014-15 Northern Highways Program totals $527 million to support highway rehabilitation and expansion projects across the North. Key projects include:
- Continued four-laning of Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon with 20 kilometres already completed and another 17 kilometres under construction
- Approved funding for expansion of an additional 16 kilometres of Highway 11/17, with contracts to be tendered in fall 2014
- Continued expansion of Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury, with 20 kilometres currently under construction.
Over the last decade, Ontario's record investments in the provincial highway network have shown significant results, including:
- Over 4,700 kilometres of new or repaired provincial highways in the North
- Expanding Highway 69 with approximately 50 kilometres of new four-lane highway between Sudbury and Parry Sound
- Construction of the new Nipigon River Bridge, which will be the first cable-stayed bridge on the provincial highway system.
Investing in roads, highways and bridges is part of the government's plan to invest in people, build modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
Quick Facts
Northern Ontario has almost 11,000 kilometres of highway - about 60 per cent of the entire provincial highway network.
Since 2003, the province has improved 4,123 kilometres of highway and 245 bridges, and constructed 582 kilometres of new four-lane highway along with 123 new bridges throughout Northern Ontario.
To learn more: Growth Plan for Northern Ontario
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