The Ontario government has announced the completion of major construction work to widen two sections of the Trans-Canada Highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon

The government calls the project a significant milestone in its plan to twin more than 100 kilometres of the corridor.

Crews have widened 6.5 kilometres of Highway 11/17 from Coughlin Road to the eastern junction of Highway 582 and a further 14 kilometres from east of Highway 587 to Pearl Lake, including two new bridges over the Pearl River.

Both sections feature two lanes in each direction, separated by a median, doubling the highway’s capacity and improving road safety for thousands of drivers who rely on the Trans-Canada Highway every year.

Preliminary design work is also underway to widen a further 12 kilometres from Highway 582 to Dorion East Loop Road, and detailed design is underway to widen 7.6 kilometres from Pearl Lake to west of CP Overhead at Ouimet. WSP has been contracted to perform the work.

“The expansion of Highway 11/17 is important for northwestern Ontario,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “By improving safety, increasing capacity and strengthening this vital trade corridor, we’re ensuring that people and goods can move efficiently across our region and the country. This investment supports our northern communities, drives economic growth and builds a stronger, more connected Ontario and Canada.”

Highway 11/17 from Thunder Bay to Nipigon is a strategic link in the Trans-Canada Highway corridor, moving goods valued at more than $45.3 billion every year. Widening the highway is a critical project that will stimulate economic growth throughout the north, as there are no alternate routes for transcontinental, regional and local traffic.