Ontario has begun construction on a five-kilometre expansion of Highway 11/17 near Nipigon, advancing a broader plan to twin more than 107 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
The project will widen the section between McGuire Road and Coughlin Road in Shuniah, creating two lanes in each direction and adding new infrastructure aimed at improving safety, freight movement and the reliability of a major transportation corridor serving northwestern Ontario.
Five-Kilometre Highway 11/17 Section to Be Widened
The new four-lane section will be built northwest of the existing two-lane corridor. Plans include a grass median separating traffic travelling in opposite directions and two new bridges crossing the Black Sturgeon River.
The province says the project forms part of its wider investment in northern transportation infrastructure and the Trans-Canada Highway, which carries commercial traffic and connects communities across provincial boundaries.
“Our government is making historic investments in highway infrastructure, including the expansion of the Trans-Canada corridor,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Highway 11/17 is a key link, supporting Ontario’s position as an economic powerhouse, strengthening interprovincial trade and helping to reduce barriers that cost us billions of dollars annually.”
“Every new stretch of four-laned highway on 11/17 is another step toward building the safer, more reliable transportation corridor northern Ontario deserves,” said George Pirie, Minister of Economic Development and Growth. “This highway is critical to connecting our communities, moving the goods and resources that power Ontario’s economy and defending Canadian sovereignty.”
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Expanded in Shuniah
Alongside the highway expansion, Ontario is moving to 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operations at the Shuniah truck inspection station on Highway 11/17.
The province says expanded operations at the $30-million inspection facility will strengthen enforcement and allow personnel to identify potential safety problems involving commercial vehicles.
Highway 11/17 is an important component of the Trans-Canada Highway system and supports the movement of goods between northern communities, major Ontario markets and other provinces.
Project Builds on Previous Highway Improvements
The latest construction follows work completed in November 2025 to widen Highway 11/17 between Coughlin Road and Highway 582 and between Highway 587 and Pearl Lake. That work included two new bridges over the Pearl River.
Design work is also progressing on other sections. Detailed design is underway for a 7.6-kilometre stretch between Pearl Lake and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway overhead at Ouimet, while preliminary design work is underway for an 11-kilometre section between Highway 582 and Dorion East Loop Road.
Ontario has committed $31 billion over 10 years toward building, repairing and expanding highways, roads and bridges across the province. The federal government will provide up to $26.05 million toward the current project through the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component.
Northern Ontario Groups Back Highway Expansion
“I’m happy to see our government investing in northern road infrastructure that is critical for travel, trade and our regional economy. Expanding the Trans-Canada Highway near Nipigon will improve safety and reliability for everyone travelling this important corridor, while strengthening the movement of goods across northwestern Ontario and the rest of the country. This work is an important part of building a stronger transportation network that supports our communities, local industries and long-term economic growth across the North.”
– Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan
“RCCAO commends the Government of Ontario for moving forward with the widening of Highway 11/17, a critical step toward building safer, more reliable infrastructure and a more connected transportation corridor in Northern Ontario. Twinning this key section of the Trans-Canada Highway will strengthen the movement of people and goods, support communities across the region and help position Northern Ontario for continued economic growth.”
– Nadia Todorova, Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario
“A four laned highway 11/17 corridor should be seen as a national priority and a truly nation-building project. At a time of economic uncertainty, investments like highway 11/17 create good, direct jobs while generating significant economic benefits throughout the broader supply chain and local communities. As a vital part of the Trans-Canada Highway, a four laned Highway 11/17 will enable safer and more reliable trade, improve the movement of goods and people across provincial boundaries, and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Ontario and Canada. ORBA and our members commend the Ontario government for continuing to advance this critical corridor and investing in infrastructure that will deliver economic benefits for generations to come.”
– Walid Abou-Hamde, CEO, Ontario Road Builders’ Association
The Highway 11/17 work adds another section to Ontario’s long-term effort to create a four-lane corridor between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, with additional design and construction projects expected to progressively address remaining sections of the route.