Plans to complete paving and other work along Highway 17B in Garden First Nation were officially given the green light to proceed last week.

On June 11, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney and Garden River First Nation Chief Andy Rickard announced the award of a contract to KSMM 2020 for work on the highway through the province's Aboriginal Procurement Program.

KSMM 2020 is a partnership between Garden River First Nation, Shwe Miikaan Corporation and Miller Paving Limited.

“Ontario is working with Indigenous communities to improve transportation in Northern Ontario,” said Mulroney. “Highway 17B travels through parts of Garden River First Nation, which makes this a win for all involved by supporting local jobs while improving and maintaining this important highway.”

The project includes 20 kilometres of paving work on Highway 17B and intersection improvements at Syrette Lake Road. Fully paved shoulders for cyclists and pedestrians, a curb, right and left turn lanes and new lighting will be added. Culvert, gutter and guiderail work will also be done. This work will improve safety and visibility on the road.

“This partnership between Garden River First Nation, Shwe Miikaan Corporation and Miller Paving will help ensure that Highway 17B remains a reliable option for residents of Garden River First Nation,” said Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano. “This initiative supports local jobs and brings economic benefit to Garden River First Nation.”

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2021 and be completed in fall 2022. The contract requires that one-third of the contract value must be done by Indigenous businesses or members.

“This project has been a dream for our community for quite some time and to be involved in the planning from start to finish is what we define as meaningful relationships with the Ontario government,” said Chief Andy Rickard, Garden River First Nation. “We look forward to this amazing opportunity to build a pool of skilled members, enhance our capacity, ensure economic benefits and add more safety measures within our community.”

The roadwork falls under the province’s draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario, which includes more than 60 actions for improving highways and roads to ensure safe and reliable travel.

In 2021–22, the province plans to award $641 million worth of contracts to expand and repair northern highways and bridges. The investments are estimated to create or sustain approximately 4,488 direct and indirect construction jobs in Northern Ontario.

The province’s Aboriginal Procurement Program promotes Indigenous economic development by increasing contracting opportunities for businesses that are First Nation, Métis and Inuit owned. The program also is open to companies that work with non-Indigenous businesses through joint ventures or subcontracts. In such cases, one-third of the total value of the work must be done by an Indigenous business.