The state government of Ontario in Canada is continuing to expand and upgrade highways throughout northern Ontario, making travel safer and more efficient for residents and creating more than 5,000 jobs a year.

The government’s investment in the 2014-2015 Northern Highways Program has reached $527m to improve road network and expansion projects across the region.

" Our Northern Highways Program helps to spur economic development and improve the quality of life for countless residents, industries and visitors throughout the north."

A number of the key projects include the conversion of Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, as well as the expansions of Highway 11/17 and Highway 69.

Northern development and mines minister Michael Gravelle said: "Our Northern Highways Program helps to spur economic development and improve the quality of life for countless residents, industries and visitors throughout the north.

"Locally, it is driving the expansion of the Thunder Bay-Nipigon corridor, which is a major project for north-western Ontario that continues to improve safety and create good jobs."

According to Canadian Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, northern Ontario has approximately 11,000km of highway, which represents 60% of the entire provincial highway network.

Since 2003, the province has improved 4,123km of highway and 245 bridges, as well as built 582km of new four-lane highway and 123 new bridges throughout northern Ontario.