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.
