Canada and Ontario to invest in three traffic flow improvement projects
The governments of Canada and Ontario have agreed to jointly invest in three projects on Highway 11/17, a key link in the Trans-Canada Highway system connecting the province's northern and southern areas.
The project will see the expansion of 26km road stretch from two lanes to four lanes between Coughlin Road westerly to Highway 582, as well as Coughlin Road easterly to Red Rock Road 9, and from Highway 587 to Pearl Creek.
For this project, Canada will contribute more than C$83m ($68m), while the remaining funding will be provided by the Ontario Government.
Canada Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hajdu said: "The Government of Canada is making strategic investments in transportation infrastructure that will help improve safety and address congestion on Northern Ontario’s highways.
"The three projects announced today will support trade and tourism across the region, improve safety and mobility for drivers, and foster long-term prosperity for years to come."
"The three projects announced today will support trade and tourism across the region, improve safety and mobility for drivers, and foster long-term prosperity for years to come."
By upgrading the Highway 11/17, the government intends to improve the flow of goods across the country and contribute to development in the region.
The upgrade is expected to reduce traffic delays and make the route safer for approximately 5,300 vehicles that use this stretch of highway every day, including about 1,600 commercial vehicles.
Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle said: "Ontario is committed to supporting critical projects to generate more economic development in our communities.
"These three highway improvements will speed the movement of goods on our roads, and increase mobility for Ontarians and tourists alike, while improving trade links from western Canada to eastern Canada, down to the southern part of our province."
