The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is calling on the federal government to make modernizing the Trans-Canada Highway across Northern Ontario part of its nation-building mandate.
The twinning of Hwys. 11 and 17 across Northern Ontario should be a priority, the organization says, both to improve highway safety and also to smooth the road for some 8,400 trucks that move $200 million in goods across the region daily.
Truck traffic is expected to double in the next decade, FONOM claims, and by 2035 trucks will represent nearly half of all traffic along the corridor.
“Ontario cannot remain the weak link in Canada’s national highway system,” said Danny Whalen, FONOM president. “This project is about saving lives, supporting our economy, and ensuring national security. It is not just Northern Ontario’s issue — it’s Canada’s.”
FONOM is proposing strategic four-land widening, selective twinning and the use of 2+1 highways on rural stretches to improve safety, reduce costs and minimize environmental impacts on the 3,000-km stretch between Quebec and Manitoba.
“Canada has a proud history of building infrastructure that unites the country,” Whalen said. “Now is the time to make this investment for the future of our nation.”
FONOM said making the stretch of highway a priority will also support development of the Ring of Fire, ensure the safe transport of nuclear fuel to Ignace, Ont., strengthen the St. Lawrence port activity and open pathways for future James Bay port development.
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