SHUNIAH — Construction has begun on another five-kilometre section of divided Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, advancing a transportation project important to Northwestern Ontario residents, businesses and cross-country trade.
Ontario announced Sept. 28 that it is widening the highway between McGuire Road and Coughlin Road. The project includes two new bridges across the Black Sturgeon River and forms part of the province’s plan to twin more than 107 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
New section will provide two lanes in each direction
The expanded highway will run northwest of the existing two-lane corridor, with two lanes in each direction separated by a grass median.
The federal government will contribute up to $26.05 million through the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component.
Ontario’s announcement did not identify the construction contractor, total contract value or expected completion date.
“Our government is making historic investments in highway infrastructure, including the expansion of the Trans-Canada corridor,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria.
Sarkaria said Highway 11/17 is a key transportation link supporting Ontario’s economy and interprovincial trade.
A safer, more reliable connection for Northwestern Ontario
For Thunder Bay and communities along the North Shore, Highway 11/17 connects residents with employment, services and neighbouring communities while carrying commercial traffic across the country.
The new divided section will separate opposing traffic and extend the four-lane transportation network between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland welcomed the investment, pointing to its importance for both everyday travel and regional industry.
“Expanding the Trans-Canada Highway near Nipigon will improve safety and reliability for everyone travelling this important corridor, while strengthening the movement of goods across northwestern Ontario and the rest of the country,” Holland said.
Shuniah truck inspection station expanding to 24/7 operations
Ontario also says it is implementing round-the-clock operations at the Shuniah truck inspection station on Highway 11/17.
The province says the expanded schedule at the $30-million facility will strengthen enforcement and help identify commercial vehicle safety concerns.
The announcement did not specify when the full 24-hour operating schedule would take effect.
More sections moving through design
The latest construction follows major widening work completed in November 2025 between Coughlin Road and Highway 582, and between Highway 587 and Pearl Lake. The Pearl Lake section included two new bridges over the Pearl River.
Additional projects remain in development:
- Pearl Lake to the Canadian Pacific Kansas City railway overpass at Ouimet: Detailed design is underway for a 7.6-kilometre widening.
- Highway 582 to Dorion East Loop Road: Preliminary design is underway for an 11-kilometre widening.
Ontario says the work is part of its $31-billion investment over 10 years to build, repair and expand provincial highways, roads and bridges.
Northern municipalities call for continued progress
Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association president Rick Dumas said the announcement represents another step toward completing four-laning between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
“This corridor is a critical part of the Trans-Canada Highway and essential to the safety of our residents, the movement of goods and the economic growth of Northwestern Ontario,” Dumas said. “Completing the remaining sections must be a priority.”
Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities president Dave Plourde also welcomed the project, saying provincial and federal co-operation is essential to advancing a phased plan for four-laning Highways 11 and 17 across Northern Ontario.
Bot Construction’s Highway 17 work highlights wider North Shore investment
Elsewhere along Highway 17, Bot Construction Group is carrying out separate projects near Rainbow Falls and at McKellar and Ripple creeks, adding to the company’s earlier work between Pays Plat and Rossport.
These projects are distinct from the newly announced McGuire Road-to-Coughlin Road expansion.
Rainbow Falls realignment
Near Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, approximately eight kilometres west of Schreiber, Bot is undertaking a $38-million Highway 17 upgrade and realignment.
NetNewsLedger’s Sept. 8 construction update reported that work was underway, with completion planned for October 2027. The project includes approximately 3.8 kilometres of highway realignment.
Bot has also reported crushing operations at the Rainbow Falls site, processing approximately 150,000 tonnes of granular material from blasted rock along the corridor. Reusing that material provides aggregate for the highway construction work.
McKellar and Ripple Creek rehabilitation
Farther east, Bot is the general contractor for rehabilitation of the McKellar and Ripple Creek culverts, approximately 36 and 38 kilometres west of Marathon.
A Ministry of Transportation notice published by the Township of Terrace Bay identifies the work as contract 2024-6004, with construction scheduled from May to November 2026. Bridge Way Engineering is providing contract administration.
The notice advises motorists that lanes may be reduced and traffic controls will be in place. Drivers should slow down and follow construction signs and flagpersons.
Completed Pays Plat–Rossport improvements
Bot’s earlier $45.5-million Highway 17 project between Pays Plat First Nation and Rossport covered approximately 7.18 kilometres, adding eastbound and westbound truck-climbing lanes and improving highway safety features.
The company has announced completion of the Pays Plat widening. It is part of Bot’s completed North Shore work, rather than an active 2026 construction project.
Together, these projects illustrate the range of work needed along Highway 17: realigning difficult sections, rehabilitating drainage structures and providing additional space for trucks climbing northern terrain.
