Ontario has kicked off the next stage in the long-running effort to widen a hazardous section of Highway 17 that runs between Renfrew and Arnprior.
Ric Bresee, parliamentary assistant to the province’s minister of transportation, revealed a request for proposals (RFP) to design the 22.5-kilometre expansion at a news conference in Renfrew on Friday. This project aims to double the highway from two lanes to four.
The province states that this busy highway acts as a key trade and travel route through eastern Ontario. The planned “twinning” will extend from Scheel Drive near Arnprior to about three kilometres west of Bruce Street in Renfrew.
“This is a concrete step toward getting this highway designed, built and ultimately completed,” Bresee said.
Highway 417 turns into Highway 17 just west of Arnprior. The four-lane Highway 417 ends near Scheel Drive, transitioning into the two-lane Highway 17 that leads onward to Renfrew.
The first significant action toward widening this highway took place in 2023 with the opening of an interchange at Calabogie Road in Renfrew County.
On Friday, Bresee mentioned that further expansion will help reduce traffic congestion, promote economic growth, and enhance safety for drivers – but construction won’t start immediately.
“It will take time, there is no doubt about that,” he warned.
The expansion will be divided into five contracts, each requiring its own RFP. Bresee explained this approach is meant “to ensure it is timely and moving forward as quickly as possible.”
Ontario has committed approximately $30 billion for building and repairing highways, roads, and bridges across the province but didn’t specify how much of that budget is allocated for this particular project.
“When the contracts are awarded, we’ll be more than happy to talk about the dollars involved in that,” said Bresee.
</P The province didn’t give a definite timeline for construction but stated schedules should become clearer once RFPs are issued and contracts are awarded.
</P Denault shared that they would discuss next steps at an upcoming community update meeting hosted by ministry officials this spring.
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Hazardous stretch of highway
Local leaders say it’s high time for this investment. At the news conference, Jennifer Murphy, warden of Renfrew County and mayor of the Township of Bonnechere Valley, described the corridor as “part of everyday life” for residents in the area. “People across the Ottawa Valley have been advocating for improvements to Highway 17, including the extension of Highway 417, for many, many years,” she said. Murphy also pointed out that this stretch has seen serious accidents over time. In January, two men lost their lives in a head-on collision; earlier this month a 77-year-old man died in another accident along this section of highway. “It’s the route people take to work before sunrise; it’s also what paramedics use when every minute counts,” she noted. “Safer infrastructure means fewer tragedies and greater peace of mind.”</P Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault mentioned that breaking up the work into five separate contracts will help prevent delays if any issues arise on one part of the project. He added that they changed how they procure designs so more local contractors can compete.</P The province didn’t give a definite timeline for construction but stated schedules should become clearer once RFPs are issued and contracts are awarded.
</P Denault shared that they would discuss next steps at an upcoming community update meeting hosted by ministry officials this spring.
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