CRANBERRY, Ontario, The Ontario government is proposing legislation to accelerate the expansion of Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury by up to five years, aiming to improve road safety, strengthen northern supply chains and support regional economic development.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and Northern Economic Development and Growth Minister George Pirie announced the proposed Building Highway 69 Faster Act, which would streamline environmental assessments and allow construction to proceed sooner.
The province has completed 84 kilometres of highway widening, with another 68 kilometres remaining. Under the government’s proposed schedule, construction could begin on additional sections as early as 2027.
Proposed Highway 69 Legislation Targets Faster Construction
The proposed legislation would establish a project-specific environmental assessment framework that builds on assessments already completed for the highway expansion.
Ontario says the approach would reduce regulatory delays while maintaining environmental oversight and fulfilling its duty to consult Indigenous communities.
“People in northern Ontario have waited long enough for a safer, more reliable Highway 69, and our government is taking action to get it built faster,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “By cutting unnecessary red tape, we are accelerating construction by up to five years, improving road safety for drivers and strengthening a vital economic corridor and connection between northern Ontario and the rest of the province.”
The proposed framework resembles measures introduced to accelerate Highway 413 construction in southern Ontario.
Six Construction Sections Planned Through 2027
The remaining 68 kilometres of Highway 69 widening would be divided into six sections, with four expected to be under construction by the end of 2027.
The province is also investing in relocating a Canadian National Railway (CN) rail line to accommodate the expansion.
Ontario has requested federal assistance to expedite outstanding environmental and regulatory approvals, advance railway relocation work and secure timely authorizations for watercourse crossings.
These approvals remain important to the government’s proposed construction schedule.
Highway Expansion Expected to Support Northern Ontario Economy
Highway 69 serves as a major transportation connection between Greater Sudbury, Parry Sound and southern Ontario, carrying commercial freight, commuters and travellers.
Provincial officials argue that widening the corridor will improve transportation reliability and strengthen access to markets for northern businesses.
“A safe, reliable Highway 69 is essential to Sudbury and northern Ontario’s economy,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Accelerating the expansion will improve road safety, strengthen our supply chains and provide Sudbury and northern communities with the modern transportation infrastructure they need to grow, attract investment and remain competitive.”
The government also identifies the corridor as strategically important for interprovincial trade and Canada’s economic resilience.
Business and Municipal Organizations Welcome Proposal
Northern Ontario business and municipal representatives expressed support for accelerating construction.
“For businesses across northern Ontario, Highway 69 is far more than a transportation route. It is a lifeline that connects communities, supports economic growth and keeps people and goods moving throughout the region. It is also a long-overdue investment in road safety for everyone who relies on this vital corridor. We welcome the Ontario government’s commitment to advancing this long-awaited project and delivering the infrastructure northern Ontario needs to grow and compete.”
— Marie Litalien, President and CEO, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario also supported efforts to simplify infrastructure approval processes.
“RCCAO welcomes the province’s proposed legislative measures to accelerate the Highway 69 expansion by streamlining environmental assessment requirements and reducing unnecessary regulatory delays. The construction industry has long emphasized the importance of improving approval processes to get critical infrastructure built faster, while maintaining appropriate environmental oversight. Accelerating this long-awaited expansion by up to five years would be a significant step toward improving road safety, strengthening northern Ontario’s economy and ensuring the efficient movement of people and goods.”
— Nadia Todorova, Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario
Ontario Links Highway 69 Project to $31 Billion Infrastructure Plan
The legislation will form part of a broader package of regulatory reforms intended to encourage investment and accelerate infrastructure development.
Ontario has committed $31 billion over 10 years to constructing, repairing and expanding highways, roads and bridges throughout the province.
The Highway 69 expansion remains subject to legislative approval and outstanding regulatory requirements. If the proposed measures proceed as planned, the province expects to advance construction significantly earlier than previously scheduled, improving a transportation corridor considered essential to northern Ontario’s long-term economic competitiveness.
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