OTTAWA, Ont. — In his first major improvement announcement since taking over Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO), minister Norm Sterling has earmarked $18 million for Hwy. 417.

The project will be the latest phase of four-laning between the Arnprior and the the 400-series route, which touches very close to Sterling’s heart as he is the MPP for Lanark-Carleton.

“This is a priority project that I worked very long and hard for as an MPP,” says Sterling. “Now as the Minister of Transportation it gives me great pleasure to move it forward.”

This project, one of a series, has been awarded to R.W. Tomlinson Ltd. of Gloucester. It will extend from Regional Road 29 to Regional Road 22 and will include construction of a base for the new highway, two new bridges and a noise barrier. Subsequent contracts have yet to be awarded to complete the connection of Hwy. 417 to Arnprior.

Work on this contract is already under way and is expected to be completed by fall 2004.

“The province is committed to ensuring that our nation’s capital has the transportation infrastructure it needs to serve our growing needs,” says Sterling. “This project will help communities up the Valley share in the prosperity that Ottawa has enjoyed.”

To date, the MTO has invested about $34 million in four-laning contracts from Panmure Road to Arnprior.