Northern Ontario officials are urgently seeking assistance from the federal government due to the hazardous winter conditions along a 2,000-kilometer stretch of highway between Kenora, Sudbury, and North Bay. The Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association (NOMA) has penned a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, requesting the designation of the Trans-Canada Highway section, encompassing Highway 11 and Highway 17, as dual-use national infrastructure.
Mayor Rick Dumas of Marathon, Ontario, and president of NOMA emphasized the necessity for federal investment in improving the highway corridor to enhance the movement of both civilians and military personnel, thereby promoting a secure and modern connection across Canada. The critical role of the Nipigon River Bridge in linking Eastern and Western Canada was highlighted, especially after a previous 18-hour disruption due to a bridge failure.
NOMA is advocating for the twinning or implementation of a two-plus-one system on Highway 11 from Nipigon to North Bay and Highway 17 from Nipigon to Sault Ste. Marie. This move aims to align with the federal government’s $82-billion defence industrial strategy, allowing the corridor to serve as vital dual-use infrastructure that contributes to Canada’s NATO defence spending targets.
The Northern Policy Institute’s president and CEO, Charles Cirtwill, emphasized the importance of addressing the alarming rate of road fatalities in northern Ontario, emphasizing that accidents are significantly more fatal in the region compared to southern Ontario. Recent data has shown a high number of collisions and casualties on Highways 11 and 17, underlining the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and enhanced safety measures.
Furthermore, the reliance on a single bridge for cross-Canada trade poses significant challenges, with frequent closures along the highways disrupting trade flow and forcing detours through the U.S. NOMA’s proposal extends to exploring the establishment of an alternative east-west highway north of Lake Nipigon, emphasizing the necessity for collaborative planning and sustained investments from federal, provincial, and local authorities.
In response, Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon reiterated the government’s commitment to highway safety and connectivity in northern Ontario. While the federal government prioritizes safe transportation networks, questions regarding highway maintenance and modernization are directed to the Ontario government, which has previously pledged substantial investments in enhancing road safety in the region.
