KENORA, Ont. — The idea of widening the Trans-Canada Highway to four lanes isn’t exactly a big hit in this northwestern Ontario community.

While officials admit it would benefit Kenora’s tourism sector, they question whether the money might be more useful if spent in other ways.

“I think its a great plan — but I think when they look at the real dollar value that it is going to cost to do it, they are going to re-evaluate it,” says Andy Scribilo, president of the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce.

“I think the money probably could be better spent for different programs — they should be asking the different communities and the chambers how they feel. We need a CT scanner in Kenora first.”

But, Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield thinks four lanes from Kenora to the Manitoba border would help open up accessibility to Kenora, especially in the summer.

“I think it is a fantastic idea. With the increase of truck traffic, it is definitely necessary,” says Canfield.

The idea of twinning the Trans-Canada from coast to coast was introduced last week to the federal government by Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal and Transport Minister David Collenette as a potential legacy project for the Prime Minister.