The two-year construction project will create as many as 550 construction jobs. The project has been awarded to Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc and is expected to begin immediately.

The assessment is expected to take as many as three years to complete; a construction schedule beyond that is unknown. The proposed permanent road would connect Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation to each other and to emerging Ring of Fire mining sites.

The program has provided $550 million in funding for a wide range of projects in communities across the province.

Vrooman is already in the job, but was officially unveiled Thursday as the successor to Michael Sabia, the former who left the role in December after less than a year to become the top public servant at the Finance Department.

One project in Brant County will expand broadband infrastructure to more than 2,400 homes and businesses. Two others in Caledon will connect a further 846 homes and businesses.