SNC Lavalin teams with Anishinabek-owned company for Highway 69 expansion
SNC-Lavalin has signed a teaming agreement with Shwe Miikaan, an Anishinabek-owned construction company, to pursue future work on expanding Highway 69 from two lanes to four between Sudbury and Parry Sound.
The agreement will see expertise from SNC-Lavalin’s Transportation group – including project management, engineering, design, and environmental services – combined with Shwe Miikaan’s specific expertise in construction and community engagement along the corridor of work on the highway.
“These kinds of co-operative delivery models reflect the way we’ll work on many future infrastructure projects,” said Ben Almond, CEO, Engineering Services Canada, SNC-Lavalin. “We’ve committed as a company to working in deeper and more meaningful ways with Indigenous partners. That means bringing Indigenous expertise, especially via Indigenous-owned companies, into our supply chain.”
Shwe Miikaan is owned by three communities in Robinson Huron Treaty territory: Henvey Inlet, Magnetewan and Shawanaga First Nations. Shwe Miikaan also have a limited partnership with Miller Paving and a limited partnership with Ketegaunseebee Limited Partnership.
"We are confident that this collaborative effort will not only deliver tangible benefits to our Indigenous communities, but will also set the standard for future infrastructure projects across Canada," said Adam Good, President, Shwe Miikaan. "As we strive to capture local benefit from the Highway 69/400 twinning project, we remain committed to training and hiring from surrounding First Nations, thus enhancing the potential of our vibrant communities. SNC-Lavalin, having a rich history in delivering multiple highway and road expansions globally, will be an invaluable partner in realizing our vision for the development of our territories.”
In conjunction with Highway 400, Highway 69 links Toronto with Sudbury, via Parry Sound. It is a key corridor for people and goods in the region, and a crucial route for Canada as part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation plans to expand a 152-kilometre stretch of the highway from Sudbury, south to Parry Sound. In addition to doubling the highway from two lanes to four, the project includes construction of water crossings, culvert replacements, wildlife passages, work to maintain snowmobile trails and crossings, and construction of new interchanges and service roads.
The expansion will help improve traffic flow and safety, and support economic growth and prosperity in Northern Ontario. Approximately 68 kilometres of the highway expansion remains to be completed at an estimated cost of $500 million.