FONOM wants Premier Doug Ford to carry the banner for better Northern Ontario highways to Ottawa as part of Ontario's submission for the federal government’s Major Projects Office (MPO) list.
FONOM, also known as the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, is pushing hard for the idea of twin-laning and the 2+1 model for Highways 11 and 17. Twin-laning involves twin lanes in one direction and twin lanes in the other direction separated by a median, while the 2+1 is a whole different style of highway.
A 2+1 highway is a three-lane highway with a centre passing lane that changes direction approximately every two to five kilometres. The highway model is used in other jurisdictions around the world and is more cost-efficient than twinning a highway, said a news release from Ontario's Ministry of Transportation. The highway would be separated by crash-rated median barriers.
A Sept. 5 news release from FONOM said such a project could represent a critical investment in safety, connectivity, and economic growth for Northern Ontario.
By strengthening Canada’s northern transportation network, the project will also support two of Ontario’s other priority nation-building initiatives — the Ring of Fire and nuclear energy development — by ensuring reliable corridors to move people, equipment, and resources, said FONOM.
“Safe and modern highways are not just about getting from point A to point B. They are about saving lives, enabling industry, and securing long-term prosperity for Northern communities,” said FONOM president Danny Whalen, who is also a municipal councillor for the City of Temiskaming Shores.
“Premier Ford’s vision for nation-building through resource development and clean energy must be matched by reinvestment in the corridors that make those projects possible," Whalen added.
FONOM has formed a coalition (the committee) to advance this priority, already meeting with federal officials from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and associations from multiple sectors across Ontario. With momentum growing, FONOM is urging Ontario to seize this moment to put Highway 11/17 twinning at the centre of its northern growth strategy, said the news release.
“The twinning and 2+1 model is a practical, proven solution,” added Whalen.
“With Premier Ford’s leadership, we can put this project firmly on the MPO list and help build a stronger, safer Northern Ontario for generations to come.”
The Ontario government announced two years ago how it was planning to create a 2+1 corridor along sections of Highway 11 north of North Bay.
In a previous news release in the summer, FONOM said the 2+1 proposal comes at a crucial time as the federal government consults on projects of national interest. FONOM believes this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the national highway network and unlock greater economic potential across Northern and rural communities, said the FONOM release.
