AECOM awarded EA contract for 2+1 highway
Construction of a 2+1 highway on Highway 11 near North Bay is one step closer to getting underway.
On July 14, the provincial government announced it had awarded a contract to begin the environmental assessment and design work for the project to AECOM Canada Ltd.
“Taking the next step to build the first 2+1 roadway in North America is just another way our government is investing in highways across the province,” said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney.
The three-lane highway will incorporate a passing lane that changes direction approximately every two to five kilometres. The 2+1 highway model is used in other jurisdictions around the world and is more cost efficient than twinning a highway.
The province has identified two potential locations for the 2+1 highway project. While both sites will be assessed, the design and environmental assessment for Highway 11 from Sand Dam Road to Ellesmere Road (14 kilometres) will be prioritized.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, the Ontario government will invest nearly $624 million to repair and expand provincial highways and bridges in northern Ontario.
Its transportation plan for northern Ontario includes more than 60 actions that will get more people moving, improve travel options for people in remote communities and support economic growth in the north.