(NIPISSING-TIMISKAMING) MP Pauline Rochefort continues to support the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) in advocating for a major highway infrastructure project designed to improve economic efficiency, safety and national connectivity.
Calls for the Governments of Canada and of Ontario to invest in a transformative upgrade of Northern Ontario’s Highways 11 and 17 — the Trans-Canada Highway — involve upgrading to the innovative 2+1 model on those highways.
The plan, supported by many Northern communities and associated safety groups, is aligned with the Building Canada Act and Prime Minister Carney’s five nation-building criteria, outlines a two-phase approach to modernize key segments of the Trans-Canada Highway system:
Phase 1 of 2+1 expansion:
• Highway 11: North Bay to Cochrane
• Highway 17: Renfrew to Sudbury
Phase 2 of 2+1 expansion:
• Highway 11: Cochrane to Nipigon
• Highway 11/17: Thunder Bay to Kenora
• Highway 17: Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury
The 2+1 model, prominent on European highways, features alternating passing lanes with a crash rated median barrier, offering a cost-effective and safer alternative to full highway twinning. This model is particularly suited to long-distance routes with moderate traffic volumes, such as those in Northern Ontario.
It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in infrastructure that promotes enhanced trade between the east and west within Canada, according to FONOM, and focuses on the development of major nation-building projects that will likely involve the transportation of large industrial materials for construction. With a vast land area and diverse geography, an efficient transportation network is crucial for connectivity and facilitating the movement of materials.