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A Record $1.8 Billion Plan To Invest In Northern Highways
NORTH BAY, ON, Aug. 30 /CNW/ - The Ontario government today released a
record $1.8-billion, five-year plan for highway improvement and expansion in
Northern Ontario. The Northern Ontario Highways Strategy (NOHS) will increase
infrastructure investment in the North by almost 40 per cent over five years,
improve road safety and encourage economic development across the North.
"No other government has committed as much over this time frame. This
government is making a record investment that will improve safety, benefit
local industry and tourism. Almost 11 million trips are made on Northern
highways every year," said Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar. "The
Northern Ontario Highways Strategy will make a huge difference to the North."
The five-year plan will create 45,000 jobs through:
- $1.1 billion in pavement and bridge improvements
- $700 million in highway expansion
- Building and improving a total of more than 2,000 kilometres of
highways and 200 bridges
- The four-laning of Highway 11 to North Bay over the next seven years
- The four-laning of Highway 69 from Parry Sound to Sudbury within 12
years
- Safety improvements to Highway 17 including adding passing lanes and
truck-climbing lanes.
"Highway 11 is one of Northern Ontario's busiest highways," said
Nipissing MPP Monique Smith. "More than 10,000 vehicles and $44 million worth
of goods travel this section of highway every day on average. Widening the
highway from two to four lanes is one of our community's top priorities and
will be an important engine for economic growth for all of northeastern
Ontario."
"Northern Ontario highways are lifelines for people and businesses of the
North," said Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines. "The
Northern Ontario Highways Strategy will help ensure optimum safety for drivers
and facilitate economic growth through enhanced access to markets elsewhere in
the province."
"This strategy identifies plans for projects across the entire provincial
highway network in the North," said Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown. "It
reflects our commitment to support development of northern regions,
industries, cities and communities."
"This is another example of the McGuinty government's commitment to
northern prosperity," said Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP David Ramsay. "Northern
Ontario's economy is dependant on the condition of its roads. This
announcement will help our communities to thrive."
To view the Strategy, please visit
http://files.newswire.ca/6/NOHSStrategyEnglish.pdf.
Disponible en français
www.mto.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Danna O'Brien, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1815; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158
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