ONTARIO-The Ontario government has completed construction to widen two sections of the Trans-Canada Highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing nearly $6.5 billion to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges in northern Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Expanding the Trans-Canada Highway has never been more important, as we work to protect Ontario by dismantling interprovincial trade barriers to unlock our full economic potential.”
Crews have widened Highway 11/17 from Coughlin Road to Highway 582 and from Highway 587 to Pearl Lake. Both sections feature two lanes in each direction, separated by a median, doubling the highway’s capacity and improving road safety for thousands of drivers who rely on the Trans-Canada Highway every year.
“The expansion of Highway 11/17 is important for northwestern Ontario,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “By improving safety, increasing capacity and strengthening this vital trade corridor, we’re ensuring that people and goods can move efficiently across our region and the country. This investment supports our northern communities, drives economic growth and builds a stronger, more connected Ontario and Canada.”
Highway 11/17 from Thunder Bay to Nipigon is a strategic link in the Trans-Canada Highway corridor, moving goods valued at more than $45.3 billion every year. Widening the highway is a critical project that will stimulate economic growth throughout the north, as there are no alternate routes for transcontinental, regional and local traffic according to the government.
