Politicians in Northern Ontario are reaching out to the federal government for urgent assistance during one of the most dangerous winters recorded along 2,000 kilometres of highway that stretches between Kenora, Sudbury and North Bay.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association (NOMA) is asking the government to classify this part of the Trans-Canada Highway – including both Highway 11 and Highway 17 – as dual-use national infrastructure.
This would allow access to federal funds aimed at enhancing defense-related infrastructure while addressing a long-standing request from those in northwestern Ontario to strengthen the only highway link between Eastern and Western Canada.
“We need to get the attention of the federal government to say: listen, we need you to invest,” said Rick Dumas, mayor of Marathon, Ont., and president of NOMA.
Dumas mentioned that investing in this corridor would enhance transport for civilians and military personnel and “connect Canada in a safe and modern way.”
All ground transportation across Canada must utilize either Highway 11 or Highway 17, crossing over the Nipigon River Bridge located northeast of Thunder Bay. When that bridge has previously failed, it cut off access across the country for 18 hours.
“The reality is that the bridge is the only connecting point of Canada,” Dumas stated.
“So when you talk about national defense and security of our country, there’s a link that if anything happens … we’re literally split in half.”
The highways converge just east of this bridge. Recently, there was a significant twinning project completed on this segment between Nipigon and Thunder Bay.
A large portion of this highway now features divided lanes with two lanes available on each side.
The Nipigon River Bridge is shown after closing for hours back in 2016. (Dave Crawford/infosuperior. com)
“I’m not entirely sure if our MPs in Ottawa fully grasp how critical that connection is for Northwestern Ontario,” Dumas remarked.
NOMA is advocating for either twinning Highway 11 from Nipigon to North Bay or implementing a three-lane system on Highway 17 from Nipigon to Sault Ste. Marie where one lane changes direction every two to five kilometers for passing purposes.
If designated as essential dual-use infrastructure, this corridor could be included in the recently unveiled $82-billion defense industrial strategy and help meet Canada’s NATO defense spending goals.
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Rick Dumas, president of NOMA, is urging immediate action from federal authorities regarding improvements along Highways 11/17. (Kate Porter/CBC)
“The idea is … if you’ve got forest fires or military exercises happening – then instead of regular civilians maybe you’ve got trucks or tanks using that facility,” explained Charles Cirtwill, president and CEO of Northern Policy Institute.
Recently announced upgrades by the federal government will target roads and airports in Northern regions by classifying them as dual-use infrastructure-serving both military needs and civilian traffic.
“Requesting that dual-use designation move just southward to cover what remains as one of the largest infrastructure gaps within the Trans-Canada Highway system makes perfect sense,” Cirtwill said.
Dumas added that they have requested an in-person meeting with Prime Minister Carney along with key federal ministers to discuss their proposal further.
‘3 times more likely to die’
NOMA represents 37 municipalities across northwestern Ontario which have all experienced firsthand how road fatalities impact their communities.
This winter alone has seen at least 11 deaths reported on northern highways throughout 2026.
The Northern Policy Institute analyzed data concerning highway fatalities across Ontario over recent years.
“If you get into an accident up north, you’re three times more likely to die than if you’re involved in one down south,” Cirtwill noted. “And on some sections of these roads, you’re nine times more likely to lose your life. This is truly an issue needing attention.”
Cirtwill emphasized this data does not even factor in last year’s record-breaking death tolls.
According To The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), there were reports made regarding approximately10,661 collisions occurring on Highway 11 alongside around8 ,960 incidents logged along Hwy.17 spanning from2020 until2025.
During those years116 people lost their lives while traveling along HWY.11 compared against123 who perished traveling via HWY.17 accordingto OPP records.
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Officers From The Ontario Provincial Police respondsto collisionreportedon HWY.17.(O. P. P. North West Region)
“We continue witnessing Trans -Canada leveltraffic traversing solelytwo-lanelocalhighways” Cirtwillsaid.
“Many individuals seem unawareofthenatureofthechallengesfacedby Northern Ontarioandlikelydon’t appreciatehowour Trans-Canada Highway resemblesits1945design”.
“Paving conditions here starkly contrastthose observedin Albertaor New Brunswick sowhenitcomes down tosafety, thismatterisabsolutelyurgent.”
‘Single bridge ‘problematic’
This comes at an important time whentheprime minister callsfor enhancedcross-Canadian trade ; however experts caution suchgrowthcan’t occur unless improvementsaremadeonthehighwaysystem.
No doubt , relyingonone route tiedtoasinglebridge poses considerable risks,”Cirtwillsaid.
Overjustthree months leadingup tothe6thof February ,2026 ; highways11and17 experiencedatleast148hoursworthofclosuresbetween Kenora &Sault Ste. Marie forcing Canadiantrade eithertowaitordetour through USA borders.
“This means detours can stretch400 ,500 or even800km long “Cirtwillsaid.” It’s farfromsimple turnaround decisions.”
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Cirtwill servesaspresident&CEO Of Northern Policy Institute basedin Thunder Bay, O nt.(CBC)
“To be honest; there really mustbe alternatives ,”Dumassaid.“Theonly option currentlyavailable liesvia United States whichleads toa massive detour; plus everyone’s requiredtopacktheirpassports whiletraveling.”
Aspartofthe proposal, NOMA alsoencouragesfederalgovernmentsto lookinto developingsecondaryeast-west highroadconnectionsnorthlake Nipigon.
<Noma hopes thateveryone – federalgovernment- provincialgovernments First Nations willcollaborateintakingsteps toward upgradingandenhancingexistingroute systems throughwhat they term cooperative planningandsustained investment.
“There won’tbe anymagic solutiondroppingdown informingtwin-highwayconstructions “Dumassaid.” Butthefactremains; initiatingplanningprocesseswhilegettingcommitmentfromthe fedsalongsideprovincialparticipation shouldbegin construction soon enough.”
< Statement issuedby Transport Minister Steven Mac Kinnonindicatedthatensuring safty interstate traveliscritical priorityfor his office.
“We recognize Highways eleven & seventeen are integral fo r connecting Northern Ontario communities whilstsupportingeconomicactivityacrossregions” statedthe notice.
“Our administrationremainspromisedtowardmaintaining safety resilience reliabilitywithin Canadas transportation networks.”
The statement referredall inquiries related tomaintenance modernizationtowardsthe provincial jurisdiction.
The provincialgoverningbodyhadpreviously informed itwould beinvestinghundredsof millionsdollars intoenhancingroadsafetyupnorthernroutes.
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