Province increases enforcement efforts on Hwy. 11 and Hwy. 17

Ontario invests $583M in northern highways, adding enforcement officers and blitzes. But critics say the funding falls short of what’s needed.

After a deadly winter on highways in northern Ontario, the provincial government says it is boosting resources for enforcement initiatives for highways 11 and 17.

The goal is to crack down on dangerous driving and support “supply chains, economic growth and access to jobs and services across the north,” the province said in a news release.

Steps include increasing the number of transportation enforcement officers in northern Ontario, expanding enforcement blitzes along the Highway 11/17 corridor between truck inspection stations to ensure trucks are safe and drivers follow the rules of the road.

The province will also deploy two mobile inspection support units this spring to increase truck enforcement. It will also move ahead with plans to rebuild the Hearst truck inspection station and replace the weigh scale.

More signage, rest areas

Highway signs will be upgraded and portable messaging signs will be added “to provide better safety information to drivers about weather conditions and closures.”

Other plans include upgrading rest areas along the corridor to provide more year-round truck parking and working with municipal and business partners to expand capacity, including a new service hub facility in Matheson that will allow more trucks to pull off safely during winter storms.

“Our government is keenly aware how important safe roads, bridges and highways are to the residents, visitors and businesses in the North who rely on them daily,” George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, is quoted as saying in the release.

“That is why we are taking action to improve safety, increase enforcement and make targeted investments that will keep people safe and goods moving, while strengthening connections between northern and remote communities.”

The work is part of $583 million the province is spending through the Northern Highways Program, including $481 million for rehabilitation projects and almost $102 million for expansion projects.

“Ontario will continue to work with its partners and local communities to determine areas where rehabilitation or upgrades are required to deliver highway infrastructure improvements that are needed to support growing communities and a stronger, more resilient economy,” the release said.

Northern Ontario’s highway system includes 10,775 kilometres, roughly 60 per cent of the provincial highway network.

The Ministry of Transportation requires contractors to clear Highways 11 and 17 in northern Ontario faster to bare pavement within 12 hours of the end of a winter storm, four hours faster than the previous standard.