The provincial government is taking steps to boost road safety in northern Ontario.
This initiative comes after several long closures and deadly accidents on Highways 11 and 17 this winter.
NDP MPPs from the area recently drove through northern Ontario, highlighting safety issues they and others in the community have raised for some time.
The province plans to add more transportation enforcement officers in the region and carry out additional enforcement operations, particularly targeting large commercial vehicles.
As part of this effort, two mobile inspection units will be rolled out this spring.
Additionally, the province aims to enhance highway signage to make it easier for drivers to see.
New portable electronic message signs that provide information about safety, weather updates, and road closures will also be put in place.
“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,” states George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, in a 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 province also plans to move forward with preliminary design work on a four-lane highway connecting Thunder Bay and Shabaqua.
Public meetings will take place this spring.
There are also proposals for upgrading rest areas across northern Ontario to provide more truck parking throughout the year.
“Highways 11 and 17 are lifelines for northern Ontario, and we’re making them safer and more reliable by cracking down on dangerous driving, strengthening enforcement and investing in new safety measures that keep people and goods moving,” states Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
Randy Thoms is a veteran news broadcaster with over 40 years’ experience. He is based in Fort Frances and covers stories across northwestern Ontario. Contact Randy at thoms. randy@radioabl. ca.
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