MARTEN FALLS FIRST NATION, Ont. — Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation have officially begun construction of the Marten Falls Community Access Road, marking a major step in the province’s accelerated plan to establish year-round transportation links to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region in Northern Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford joined Marten Falls First Nation Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Minister Greg Rickford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria to mark the start of construction.
The project forms a central part of Ontario’s proposed 514-kilometre all-season road network and is intended to improve access for remote First Nations communities while supporting development of the region’s critical mineral resources.
“We’re delivering on our promise to protect Ontario and stand up to President Trump by unlocking the Ring of Fire,” said Premier Ford. “The Marten Falls Community Access Road is a critical link in the Ring of Fire road network, connecting the people of Marten Falls to better services and good-paying local jobs while connecting the rest of Ontario to the incredible economic potential of the Ring of Fire. I want to thank Chief Bruce and all the community members for their partnership as we get shovels in the ground and build this road network five years ahead of schedule.”
Ring of Fire Development Targets $22 Billion in Economic Activity
The Ontario government estimates development associated with the Ring of Fire could add $22 billion to the provincial economy and support 70,000 jobs. The province is positioning the project as part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic supply chains and increase access to critical minerals.
Those minerals are increasingly important to electric vehicle batteries, defence technologies and advanced manufacturing, sectors in which governments and businesses are seeking more secure domestic and allied supply chains.
“Developing the corridor to shared prosperity starts with relationships, partnerships and leadership and that leadership remains on full display with Marten Falls and partnering First Nations in the Ring of Fire region,” said Minister Rickford. “Today is not simply about building roads to the Ring of Fire. Today is about connecting communities, through modern legacy infrastructure, to improved health, social and economic futures.”
184-Kilometre Road to Connect Marten Falls to Highway Network
At 184 kilometres, the Marten Falls Community Access Road will be the longest segment of the proposed Ring of Fire all-season road network. Plans call for 35 bridges and culverts along the route.
Initial construction activities include clearing trees, establishing a work camp and creating access to aggregate sites.
The road is scheduled to open by November 2031, four years earlier than previously planned. Once completed, it will connect Marten Falls First Nation to Ontario’s provincial highway network for the first time.
The year-round connection is expected to improve access to health care, education, social services, affordable goods and employment opportunities for community members.
Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation signed a Community Partnership Agreement in November 2025 to advance infrastructure and other community priorities. The agreement is also intended to provide the First Nation with a meaningful role in the road’s development, construction and maintenance.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Marten Falls First Nation,” said Chief Achneepineskum. “The approval of the Community Access Road reflects the vision, determination and leadership of generations of our people who worked toward creating a permanent, year-round connection to the provincial highway network. This road is about more than transportation — it is about reducing the challenges of living in a remote community and creating new opportunities for our people. Reliable, year-round access will strengthen connections to health care, education, essential services, affordable goods and help accelerate community growth. We are grateful to everyone who shared their knowledge and perspectives throughout the community-led environmental assessment process, and we look forward to the benefits this road will bring to our members, our families and the generations that follow.”
Ontario Accelerates Wider Ring of Fire Road Network
The Marten Falls project follows the start of construction on the Webequie Supply Road in June 2026. That road is expected to open by November 2030, four years ahead of schedule.
Upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads also began in June, while construction of the Northern Road Link is scheduled to begin in spring 2028 and be completed by November 2031, pending required approvals and consultation.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making historic investments in highway infrastructure to drive economic growth across the province as we continue our work to build a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant economy,” said Minister Sarkaria. “Accelerating the construction of Ring of Fire roads demonstrates our commitment to cementing Ontario’s position as a world leader in the critical minerals space and supporting all-season road access for First Nations and driving economic growth across Northern Ontario.”
Critical Minerals at Centre of Ontario’s Economic Strategy
The Ring of Fire contains significant mineral deposits that Ontario sees as strategically important as global demand grows for materials used in batteries, electric vehicles, defence systems and advanced manufacturing.
By accelerating road infrastructure, the province aims to improve community connectivity while creating the transportation network required for future mineral development.
For Marten Falls First Nation, however, the project also represents a long-awaited permanent connection to the provincial highway system, potentially changing access to essential services and economic opportunities for generations to come.