BROWN ANNOUNCES $648 MILLION FOR NORTHERN ONTARIO
Ontario Government Releases Details of Annual Northern Highways Program

SAULT STE. MARIE – Mike Brown, MPP, Algoma-Manitoulin, is pleased to announce that the province will invest $648 million in its Northern Highways Program, including approximately $295 million for expansion and safety initiative projects and about $353 million for rehabilitation projects. These investments will spur the economy in northern communities and create approximately 4,700 jobs across the North.

“Today’s announcement means increased road safety and more economic development opportunities for Northern Ontario communities,” said Brown. “This investment demonstrates our government’s continued commitment to making real improvements on northern highways and improving the quality of life for northerners.”

In Northeastern Ontario, some of the key new projects include:

• Continued work on the four-laning of Highway 69;
• Continued work on the four-laning of Highway 11;
• Phase one of the rehabilitation of the CPR swing bridge in Little Current.

QUICK FACTS

• Northern Ontario has almost 11,000 kilometres of highway, about 60 per cent of the entire provincial highway network.
• In 2008-09 investments in Ontario’s highway infrastructure created an estimated 13,000 jobs.
• Since 2003, the Ontario government has committed more than $1.6 billion in highway improvements throughout Northeastern Ontario.

BACKGROUNDER
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

IMPROVING NORTHERN ONTARIO HIGHWAYS

June 16, 2009

The Ontario government will invest $648 million in the Northern Highways Program. This year’s funding includes approximately $295 million for expansion and safety initiative projects and about $353 million for rehabilitation projects, including additional funding for bridges.

Northeastern Ontario 2009-10 Projects:

• Highway 6 Replacement of the Ritchy’s Creek culvert near Little Current. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 6 Rehabilitation of the CPR swing bridge (Phase One) in Little Current. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 11 Construction of the new Sundridge Patrol Yard. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 11 Four-laning of Highway 11, Burk’s Falls By-pass. Completion expected in 2012.

• Highway 11 Relocation of the Almaguin Highlands Information Centre to accommodate for four-laning. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 11 Resurfacing from Highway 534 to Highway 654 for nine kilometres in Powassan. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 11 Reconstruction for 12 kilometres, including culvert rehabilitation from Latchford southerly. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 11 Replacement of the Blanche River Bridge in Sesekinika. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 11/17 Safety and operational improvements such as intersection improvements, a pedestrian underpass, Runaway Truck Ramp, passing lane and variable message signs along Highway 11 north of North Bay, Highway 17 east and west of North Bay. Completions expected in 2009.

• Highway 11 Replacement of the Opasatika River Bridge, west of Val Rita. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 17 Resurfacing from east of Highway 533 easterly in Mattawa for 15 kilometres. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 17 Rehabilitation of the Wanapitae River Bridge, near Sudbury. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 17 Culvert rehabilitations at various locations south of Highway 101, Wawa. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 17 Culvert rehabilitations at various locations north of Highway 101, Wawa. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 17 Culvert rehabilitations at various locations, north of Highway 552 northerly, north of Sault Ste. Marie. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 17 Rehabilitation of Catfish Creek Bridge, west of Highway 101, Wawa. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 63 Resurfacing from North Bay easterly for 19 kilometres. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 64 Resurfacing from Highway 528 northerly for 23 kilometres, Noelville. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 66 Resurfacing from Highway 11 westerly for 17 kilometres, Kenogami Lake. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 69 Four-laning of Highway 69 from Highway 637 to Estaire for eight kilometres. Completion expected in 2012.

• Highway 69 Replacement of the Key River Bridge in Britt. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 101 Resurfacing from east of Highway 655 easterly for 14 kilometres in Timmins. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 124 Replacement of the Portage Creek culvert in Parry Sound. Completion expect in 2009.

• Highway 129 Replacement of the Rapid River Bridge, north of Highway 17 near Thessalon. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 144 Mollie Creek Culvert rehabilitation north of Highway 560 to Highway 661 in Gogama. Completion expect in 2010.

• Highway 144 Resurfacing north of Highway 661 northerly for 21 kilometres near Gogama. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 534 Replacement of the Beatty Creek Bridge, south of Highway 654 near Callander. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 546 Replacement of the Little White River Bridge, north of Elliot Lake. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 577 Replacement of the Meadow Creek Bridge in Shillington. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 630 Replacement of the Amable Dufond River bridge in Kiosk. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 632 Replacement of the Shadow River Bridge, south of Highway 141 in Rosseau. Completion expected in 2010.

• Highway 634 Culvert replacement north of Highway 11 near Smooth Rock Falls. Completion expected in 2009.

• Highway 655 Reconstruction for 11 kilometres from Highway 101 northerly in Timmins. Completion expected in 2009.