Ontario Expands Highway 11 South Of North Bay

Media Release

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The Ontario government is investing almost $120 million in two major expansion projects that will advance the four-laning of Highway 11, Nipissing MPP Monique Smith announced today on behalf of Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci.

“As one of the major gateways into Northern Ontario, Highway 11 provides an economic and social lifeline for all northerners,” Smith said. “This is another major step toward meeting our commitment to complete Highway 11 four-laning by 2012.”

The first project is the second of three contracts to four-lane Highway 11 from Katrine to Burk’s Falls. Major elements of the work include the construction of eight bridges, building a new interchange at Ferguson Road/Highway 520 and re-aligning Highway 592/Sunset Pass Drive from Deer Lake Road to the new Municipal Service Road (Katrine Road). The $53,988,000 contract was jointly awarded to Aecon Construction and Materials Ltd. of Toronto and Leo Alarie and Sons Ltd. of Timmins. Work is underway now and is expected to be completed in late 2008.

The second project involves construction of 9.5 kilometres of new four-lane roadway stretching north from Boundary Road to the current end of four-laning north of South River. The project includes construction of interchanges at Boundary Road and the north entrance to South River, construction of seven new bridges and the building of a snowmobile culvert near the Boundary Road interchange. The contract in the amount of $64,785,000 has been awarded to Bot Construction of Oakville. Work is expected to begin shortly and be completed in October 2009.

“Having a well-maintained highway infrastructure in place will help northern communities grow and prosper,”said Bartolucci. “Through our Northern Highways Program, the McGuinty government is investing a record $357 million in 2006-07 in highway development across the North.”

“Our Northern Ontario Highways Strategy lays out our plan for highway improvement and expansion in Northern Ontario over five years,” said Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield. “This $1.8-billion plan will improve road safety and encourage economic development in Northern Ontario.”

The Ontario government is renewing and expanding vital infrastructure as part of its Northern Prosperity Plan. The plan is founded on four key pillars including: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

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