Ontario starting work on Highway 11’s 2+1 roadway
The Ontario government has awarded a contract to begin the environmental assessment and design work for a 2+1 highway on Highway 11 north of North Bay.
“Taking the next step to build the first 2+1 roadway in North America is just another way our government is investing in highways across the province,” Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation said in a news release. “We’re making great progress on our plan to build Ontario as we continue to work closely with communities and safety advocates to build a safer transportation network.”
Aecom Canada will undertake the environmental assessment and design work for the three-lane highway which will incorporate a passing lane that changes direction approximately every two to five kilometers. The 2+1 highway model is used in other jurisdictions around the world and is more cost efficient than twinning a highway.
The province identified two potential locations for the project – Sand Dam Road to Ellesmere Road (14 km) and Highway 64 to Jumping Caribou Lake Road (16 km). While both sites will be assessed, the design and environmental assessment for Sand Dam Road to Ellesmere Road will be prioritized.
“The 2+1 highway project demonstrates our government’s continued efforts to strengthen our transportation network and expand opportunities for economic growth and development in northern Ontario,” said Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade, and MPP for Nipissing.
“In addition to keeping our promise to build Ontario, this project will play an important role in addressing the unique transportation needs of the north, enhancing traffic flow and improving safety for individuals and businesses alike on our roads.”
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A three lane highway ,huh! Not a new idea and I doubt any less dangerous no matter what they call it.
I remember a short three lane piece of hwy. 11, about three miles between Elgin Mills and Oak Ridges, in the early 1960’s. Hardly a weekend went by without a head on in that section.
It will be interesting to see how that works out with a lot more traffic and higher speeds. Especially with a lot of truck traffic.
This should have been done 20 years ago
Sorry would not use that highway on a bet , l will guarantee you will have more accidents than ever before !
It is sad that in 2023, in Ontario, the only one province of Canada doesn’t have a proper 2 lane highway across the province. From Toronto up to Kenora, aprox 1800 km, there is a 2 lane highway on one way, for about 300 km. I am working as a truck driver since 2006 in Canada and I saw some working around Perry Sound and Sudbury, betwen Nipigon and Thunder bay and Ontario/Manitoba border. That’s it. The commercial transport in Canada has growth very much in the past 10 years, as well transportation taxes, and they are buiding now 2+1 lane highway? That’s 300 passing lanes or something like that. Verry sad for drivers who work with electronic log book. I remember 2013 or 2014 when the famous new bridge at Nippigon where was closed due to very freezing temp’s just broke Canada in half.
This passing lane system isn’t going to solve anything the driver’s who are out passing when they aren’t supposed to be will still be out passing when they aren’t supposed to. Hwy #11 should be 4 laned