Welcome
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Welcome to the official website for the Preliminary Design, Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the four-laning of Highway 11/17 from 2.83 km west of Ouimet Overhead, easterly 8.63 km, within the Municipality of Shuniah and the Township of Dorion, approximately 70 km northeast of Thunder Bay.
This study was built upon the Planning and Preliminary Design phase (completed in 1997), which determined the planning requirements for the four-laning of Highway 11/17. At that time, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) documented operational and capacity deficiencies, the evaluation of alternatives, and identified a preferred preliminary design plan to address the current and future needs of Highway 11/17 within the study limits. The previously EA approved plan included:
- Some areas of twinning the existing highway;
- Some areas of new four-lane alignment;
- A new, grade-separated crossing of the CP Railway; and
- Improvements at / modifications to intersecting roads.
The four-lane highway corridor was designated (protected) in 2003.
As part of this Preliminary Design Study, an Addendum to the ESR will be prepared to document any changes to existing environmental conditions from 1997 and any proposed changes to the previously approved plan for Highway 11/17 within the study limits. Proposed changes to the 1997 approved plan include highway alignment revisions in some sections, modifications to public access at Meyers Road, Ouimet Canyon Road, Poplar Road, and Dorion Loop Road, and an increase in right-of-way from 90 m to 110 m (minimum).
The Detail Design Study is complete and a Design and Construction Report (DCR) has been prepared to document the Detail Design for the proposed improvements to Highway 11/17 and the proposed associated environmental mitigation measures. A copy of the report is available on the project website here.
A provincial funding commitment for the construction of the four-laning of this portion of Highway 11/17 is included in the 2016 Ontario Budget. Construction is anticipated to start as early as 2018.
WSP (formerly MMM Group Limited) has been retained by the Ministry of Transportation, Northwest Region, to undertake this project.
Please view the website and provide us with your feedback. We will provide regular updates on this site with information on events such as the Public Information Centres, as well as project documentation, as it becomes available.
If you wish to be added to our project mailing list or submit comments or questions, please go to the Contact Us section of the website.