Two construction projects on Ontario's Highway 69 have received the go-ahead and $169.2 Million from the federal government on a pair of four-laning projects between Parry Sound and Sudbury, Ontario per On-Site Magazine.
The larger of the two projects will get $119.9 million in federal funding and will see 19.3 kilometres of Highway 69 expanded to a four-lane divided highway. The bulk of the work will take place between Highway 529 and Highway 522. Along with twining the existing highway, the work includes new bridges across three waterways and a pair of new interchanges.
The second job involves twinning and realigning an 11 kilometre stretch of Highway 69 from north of Highway 559 to just south of Shebeshekong Road. New service roads and a new interchange are also part of the project, which will get $9.2 million from Ottawa.
Provincial funding for the projects is expected to be forthcoming.
According to CBC News, Liberal MPs Marc Serre and Paul Lefevbre made the announcement a stone's throw from passing traffic in a vacant lot near Highway 69 and Algonquin Road.
Serre stated the $169 million is the largest federal infrastructure investment in Northern Ontario. Although road and maintenance funding for Highway 69 usually falls to provincial hands, the Trudeau government was committing to working with the provincial Conservatives, even if the two levels spar over larger issues, like the federal carbon tax.
Serre stated that it was really important that we put the political aside and find ways to invest in municipalities.
Ron Henderson of Sudbury, who is part of the advocacy group Crash 69, said he was optimistic that the work on the highway could move ahead with the announcement.
"The timing is fantastic. I mean for several years where we've heard nothing in terms of progress. It's been nine years since we've heard anything and I'm starting to wonder whether it's ever going to happen. If we can get a little momentum from the Ford government...to finish the sole remaining piece we can get this thing done in a reasonable timeline."
Advocacy Group Crash 69 | Ron Henderson
Henderson lost his sister and her sons in a fatal crash on Highway 69 in 2002. He said he is hopeful this latest investment will help achieve the group's goals of making the highway wider and ultimately safer.
Per Northern Ontario Business, as part of efforts to minimize death and injury to wildlife, the work will also include installation of 14 culverts and 22 kilometres of fencing to keep animals from wandering onto the road to be struck down by speeding traffic.
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