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Governments of Canada and Ontario invest in Highway 17
15 May 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
The 40-km section of Highway 17 between Kenora and the Ontario-Manitoba border is the only major East-West highway link between Ontario and Manitoba, and is part of the core National Highway System. The Highway is a vital link for continental, regional and local traffic and commerce. During the summer months Highway 17 provides access to many tourist and recreational areas in both Ontario and Manitoba. The average traffic reaches as high as 7000 vehicles per day.
This 40-km section of Highway 17 is currently a two-lane, undivided highway with a collision rate above the provincial average. Twinning Highway 17 will enhance both safety and capacity.
The Government of Canada is allocating up to $50 million to twin the first 10 km of Highway 17 stretching from the Ontario-Manitoba border eastward. Construction work will begin in 2010.
The Highway 17 twinning project is a logical progression of the twinning projects that have occurred along the Trans-Canada Highway across the four western provinces. Manitoba intends to proceed with planning for the twinning of the final 14 km west of the Ontario border.
Federal support for this project is conditional on the project meeting all applicable eligibility and approval requirements under the Government of Canada's infrastructure plan and on the signing of a contribution agreement.
