Ontario highways
Northern Ontario has almost 11,000km of highway. Credit: Karsten Würth on Unsplash.

The Government of Ontario in Canada has announced that it will expand and improve highways, roads and bridges across the northern region of the state with an investment of C$625m ($460m).

Initially, the government will be focusing on building new passing lanes and improving signage and lighting.

It noted that expansion works of Highway 69 to four lanes south of Sudbury will continue. It will also continue to advance the four-laning of Highway 17 between Kenora and the Manitoba border.

Ontario Minister of Energy Northern Development and Mines Greg Rickford said: “Our government is committed to making investments in our northern highways to reduce congestion, make our roads safer and create jobs.

“Our government is proud to support critical road infrastructure investments that improve the quality of life for hardworking northern families, businesses and visitors.”

With this investment, the government aims to make travel easier and safer for families and support economic growth and job creation in local communities.

Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney said: “Today’s announcement reflects the high priority our government places on the expansion and improvement of our northern highways.

“We will continue to make investments in every corner of our province to help people get where they need to go.”

Northern Ontario has almost 11,000km of highway, which accounts for nearly 60% of the entire provincial highway network.