Progress Continues On Northern Gateway Highways
Ontario Forging Ahead With Four-Laning Of Highways 69 And 11
Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
SUDBURY - The four-laning of Highways 69 and 11 is moving forward with the advertising of two contracts for the next stages of work south of Sudbury and North Bay, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.
"Within the past year, the McGuinty government has made significant progress on Highways 69 and 11," Bartolucci said. "We are again confirming our commitment to the Highway 69 Action Plan and to the completion of Highway 11 by 2012, in order to advance our vision of modern, safer, four-lane highways linking Northern and southern Ontario."
The Highway 69 project involves constructing almost nine kilometres of new alignment south of Sudbury to Highway 537. It will include the construction of three new structures, the realignment of about three kilometres of Highway 537 and construction of an interchange at the new intersection of Highway 537/69. The project will tie in with the recently completed underpass at Old Wanup Road and the new interchange at the south end of the existing four-lane alignment south of Sudbury.
The Highway 11 project involves the first stage of highway expansion from Katrine to Burk's Falls, including the construction of various bridges, a new interchange at Highway 520 and a new municipal service road in Armour and Perry Townships. Last year on the Highway 11 corridor, a $46-million project was completed between Katrine and Emsdale that opened up another six kilometres of four-lane highway.
"I am delighted that we are taking another major step in the continuing expansion of Highway 11," said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith. "The completion of Highway 11 is a key pillar to the continued economic development of Nipissing."
The commitment to expanding northern highways like Highway 69 and Highway 11 was set out in ReNew Ontario, the province's five-year strategic infrastructure investment plan that will help prepare for future growth.
"Northern Ontario highways are lifelines for people and businesses in the North," said Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar. "Ontario's prosperity depends on them. The sooner these highways are widened, the better - for safety, for jobs, for tourism and for the economy"
The Ontario government is renewing and expanding vital infrastructure like Highways 69 and 11 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.
Laura Blondeau
Minister's Office - Sudbury
Tom Marcolini
MNDM - Sault Ste. Marie
This document was published on March 22, 2006 and is provided for archival and research purposes.