The Ontario government has announced plans to upgrade a portion of the Trans-Canada Highway in the north.

Construction is underway to upgrade Highway 17 from Echo Bay to Highway 548, resurfacing almost 17 kilometres of highway and repairing and replacing the Bar River Bridges, Stobie Creek Bridge and Richardson Creek Bridge.

Crews have started resurfacing a 16.8-kilometre section of Highway 17 from south of Echo Bay to Highway 548. The project also includes rehabilitating the eastbound Bar River Bridge and replacing the westbound Bar River Bridge. As part of a separate contract, crews will replace the Stobie Creek Bridge and rehabilitate the Walker Creek Culvert on Highway 17, as well as replace the Richardson Creek Bridge on Highway 548.

“Highway 17 is more than a roadway, it is a vital economic corridor that connects northern communities, moves goods to market and supports jobs across the region,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “By strengthening this key section of the Trans-Canada Highway, our government is continuing to improve highway safety for the families, workers and commercial drivers who rely on this route every day."

Highway 17 is a strategic link in the Trans-Canada Highway corridor, moving goods valued at more than $18.6 billion every year.

The province is planning to twin the highway from Thunder Bay to Nipigon. The first phase of that work, from Kenora to the Manitoba border, was completed in 2024. The second phase, between Highway 673 and Rush Bay Road, is in preliminary design.

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