The Ontario government announced on December 23 that a newly expanded stretch of Highway 69 in the north is officially open.

The 14-kilometre stretch of road is located near the Municipality of French River, which itself it located near Sudbury. The province says the newly widened highway from two to four lanes will help improve traffic flow and safety, and support economic growth and prosperity in Northern Ontario.

“As we build Ontario, it’s critical that we continue to expand and improve highways across the province,” said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney. “In Northern Ontario, Highway 69 plays a vital role in helping people and goods move more quickly. By expanding the highway, our government is following through on its promise to support the economy and improve road safety.”

The new lanes on Highway 69 extend from north of Highway 522 to north of Highway 607. The expansion also includes two new interchanges.

The widening is part of a project to widen a total of 152 kilometres of Highway 69 from Parry Sound to Sudbury. The final 68-kilometre section of widening between French River and Parry Sound is in the engineering and property acquisition phase.

Highway 69 is a key corridor in the region and a crucial route for the country as part of the Trans-Canada Highway.

“Our government is building Ontario with investments in critical infrastructure that improve our health, safety and quality of life,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Over the next 10 years, we are spending more than $148 billion on highways and public transit, as well as schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other public infrastructure that families and businesses depend on.”

From April 2021 to March 2022, the province has committed $641 million to repair and expand provincial highways and bridges in Northern Ontario.