Ontario Advancing Widening of Highway 69 Between Parry Sound and Sudbury

CRANBERRY — As part of the Ontario government’s work to widen Highway 69 from two to four lanes, the province is investing in the relocation of a Canadian National Railway Company (CN) rail line within the Township of Mowat and the Municipality of Killarney. The remaining 68 kilometres of work to widen Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury will be split into six sections, four of which will be under heavy construction by the end of next year. This work will improve northern road safety and traffic flow and keep workers on the job for years to come while supporting the province’s important mining and tourism sectors.

“Widening Highway 69 is a priority project for our government and we intend to use every tool at our disposal to accelerate this critical work,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The relocation of the CN rail line will facilitate construction of a new interchange at Highway 522, marking another step forward to widen the highway, enhancing road safety on this critical corridor that supports economic development and the province’s world-class mining sector.”

The relocation of the CN Rail line, which is the first step in accelerating this project, will include grading, laying new track, installing signals and re-connecting the new track to the rest of the rail line. Once this work is complete, construction can begin on a new interchange at Highway 522 that will be part of the expanded Highway 69.

“Highway 69 is a critical transportation corridor within Ontario’s highway network, supporting supply chains, economic development and access to employment, services and markets by connecting northern and southern Ontario,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This investment in the widening of Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury will help enhance safety, improve the efficient movement of people and goods and build stronger, more resilient communities across northern Ontario.”

To date, Ontario has completed widening 84 kilometres of the 152-kilometre corridor, running from 17 kilometres north of Parry Sound to 67 kilometres south of Sudbury. This work has made travel along Highway 69 safer and helped people and goods get where they need to go while supporting good-paying jobs for construction workers.

Quick Facts

• The Ontario government is investing $31 billion over ten years to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges across the province.

Quotes

"We have been working diligently with all parties impacted by the widening of highway 69 from Parry Sound to Sudbury and I am pleased to see the necessary CN rail relocation moving forward as part of this larger project. This is a critical step towards our goal of making travel safer for residents, families and businesses, while strengthening access to the economic opportunities that this corridor supports."

- Graydon Smith

MPP, Parry Sound-Muskoka

"NOMA welcomes the Ontario government’s continued investment in expanding and modernizing Northern Ontario’s highway network. The widening of Highway 69 demonstrates what is possible when we make long-term investments in safer, more reliable transportation corridors that support communities, industry and economic growth. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Minister Sarkaria and the Government of Ontario as this same long-term approach is advanced for Highways 11 and 17 across Northwestern Ontario, including short-, medium- and long-term improvements that strengthen the Trans-Canada Highway for generations to come."

- Mayor Rick Dumas

President, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA)

"FONOM welcomes this important progress on Highway 69. The relocation of the rail line and the new Highway 522 interchange will support safer travel, improve the movement of people and goods, and strengthen access to Northern Ontario’s mining and resource sectors. We look forward to receiving further details about the planned improvements and timelines for the remaining sections of the corridor."

- Dave Plourde

President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM)

"Highway 69 is one of the most important transportation and economic corridors in northern Ontario. We welcome any action that advances this long-awaited expansion. Improving safety, strengthening connectivity and supporting economic growth are critical to the future of Greater Sudbury and the North, and we look forward to seeing this important project continue to move forward."

- Marie Litalien

President and CEO, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce

"Completing Highway 69 is about more than finishing the remaining 68 kilometres, it is about opening Northern Ontario to its next generation of growth. A safer, more reliable connection between Sudbury and Southern Ontario will strengthen communities, support the critical minerals economy and give businesses and families greater confidence to invest and grow in the North. ORBA welcomes this important commitment to building the transportation infrastructure Ontario will need for decades to come."

- Steven Crombie

Senior Director of Public Affairs, Ontario Road Builders’ Association

"Strategic infrastructure investments like the widening of Highway 69 are essential to supporting Ontario’s growth, strengthening economic competitiveness and ensuring communities have the transportation networks needed to move people and goods safely and efficiently. Projects like this help build the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous province."

- Sharon Armstrong

Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA)

"Investing in the widening of Highway 69 creates jobs and economic activity today, while also building the infrastructure needed to support growth for decades to come. Expanding this critical connection between Northern Ontario communities will improve the movement of people and goods, support local industries and help attract new investment and economic opportunities. Reliable transportation connections like Highway 69 are fundamental to ensuring communities across Northern Ontario have the foundation to grow and contribute to the province’s broader economic prosperity."

- Patrick McManus

Executive Director, Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA)

"RCCAO welcomes the province’s continued investment in Highway 69. Moving forward with the widening of this critical transportation corridor demonstrates a long-term commitment to strengthening infrastructure, improving safety and connectivity, and supporting economic growth across Northern Ontario. Our members are committed to delivering the projects that keep people and goods moving, create good-paying construction jobs, and support Ontario’s continued growth."

- Nadia Todorova

Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO)

MEDIA CONTACT                                                                                              

Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan

Constituency Office

Tel.: 647-560-9700        

Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org