Completion of four-laning of Highway 11 remains on track

McGuinty Liberals say annual investment in highway rehabilitation and expansion approaches half billion-dollar mark.

Full details contained in news release below.

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NORTH BAY – The McGuinty government is investing all-time record funding in the 2007-08 Northern Highways Program, including here in our community, Nipissing MPP Monique Smith announced today.

The government is investing a record $468 million to expand and upgrade the nearly 11,000-kilometre highway network in Northern Ontario through its Northern Highways Program. An increase of 30 per cent over last year, this investment will help increase highway safety, support economic development and improve access to major communities in the North.

This year’s investment also includes a $20-million increase in funding for rehabilitation projects throughout the North.

Program highlights for our area include:

- The resurfacing of more than 15 kilometres of Highway 11 south of Marten River

- The reconstruction of the Truck Arrester Bed at the Junction of Highways 11 and 17

- The resurfacing of more than 26 kilometres of Highway 17 west of Mattawa

- The resurfacing of about 10 kilometres of Highway 94 near Callander

- The reconstruction of 17 kilometres of Highway 17 west of North Bay.

“Our government’s priority on the expansion and rehabilitation of northern highways is evident throughout the area,” said Monique Smith, Nipissing MPP. “In addition to numerous rehabilitation projects, two new expansion projects planned for this fiscal year on Highway 11 between Burk’s Falls and Sundridge, confirm our commitment to complete the four-laning of this highway by 2012.”

The commitment to expanding and rehabilitating northern highways was set out in ReNew Ontario, the province’s five-year strategic infrastructure investment plan that will help prepare for future growth. The Ontario government is renewing and expanding vital infrastructure as part of its Northern Prosperity Plan. The plan is founded on four key pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

“Another record investment speaks to our government’s commitment to ensure that northern transportation infrastructure is safe and efficient,” said Bartolucci. “Every dollar put into highways is an investment in the economic development of Northern Ontario, in the growth of our communities and in the creation of new jobs.”

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