Province requests bidders for Hwy 17 expansion
The Ontario Government has approved the first stage of a project to widen Highway 17 from two to four lanes in the Ottawa Valley communities of Arnprior and Renfrew.
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski made the announcement on May 27.
"Highway 17 is a lifeline for travel and the movement of goods throughout Renfrew County," he said. "Twinning this vital highway corridor will improve safety, strengthen the connection between communities, create jobs and attract investment to the region."
The first phase of construction calls for a new interchange at the Calabogie Road intersection in the Township of McNab/Braeside. Stage 2 includes building three new interchanges and widening Highway 17 from two lanes to four from Scheel Drive in the Township of McNab/Braeside to just west of Bruce Street in Horton Township—a total stretch of 22.5 kilometres.
Expressions of interest for work on stage one are open now and will remain so through July 2.
"Our government is supporting local communities with critical infrastructure investments that will keep families safe, goods moving and drive economic growth and job creation," said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney. "Modernizing and expanding this section of Highway 17 will ensure a safe and efficient highway network for Eastern Ontario."
The government announced plans to widen the highway last summer—to welcome relief. More than 14,000 vehicles travel that stretch of road every day, and it is a site of many serious collisions.
It is now yet known how much the project will be valued at, but a similar expansion of only five kilometres cost the government $63 million. The larger scope of this project could well push the budget above $100 million.
The government says expansion project will help to inform the province's first regional transportation plan for Eastern Ontario, which it expects to release next year.