Ontario Government Investing Over $78 Million in Northwestern Highways

Funding Part of Largest Infrastructure Investment in Province’s History

Thursday July 9, 2015 – Thunder Bay ON
Ontario is investing in highway infrastructure projects to make travel easier and safer by improving driving conditions in Northwestern Ontario.

Four-laning work continues on Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, including the construction of the Nipigon River Bridge. More than half of the four-laning on this stretch of highway is now underway or complete.

In addition, nearly 130 kilometres are being rehabilitated and six bridges and two culverts are being replaced or repaired on stretches of Northwestern Ontario highways.

This funding is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history — more than $130 billion over 10 years, which will support more than 110,000 jobs per year on average, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals across the province.

The government’s plan to build Ontario up is supported by a number of initiatives, including broadening the ownership of Hydro One — an approach that raises billions for infrastructure.

Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan will help connect regions, develop new economic opportunities and improve quality of life for Ontarians by supporting critical projects in cities, towns, and rural and remote communities all across the province.

Investing in northern highways is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Quick Facts

• On June 10, 2015, the province announced an investment of almost $120 million to four-lane two new sections of Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
• Since 2003, the province has improved 4,366 kilometres of highway and 284 bridges, and constructed 295 kilometres of new highway along with 124 new bridges throughout Northern Ontario.
• A Conference Board of Canada report estimated that Ontario’s public infrastructure investment would add more than $1,000 to the average annual income of Ontarians in 2014 and lower the unemployment rate by about one percentage point.
• Investing in roads, highways and bridges is part of the Ontario government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.