The province has answered the call – so Ontarians can answer the call of nature – to build, repair and expand rest stops along Northern highways.
Among the improvements announced on Oct. 9 are more bathrooms, improved lighting and increased parking.
Four new facilities will be built, while 10 existing facilities will be repaired or expanded.
The province said it’s also exploring measures to combat human trafficking, including improved lighting and security cameras, as well as posting information such as a support hotline.
As improvements are made, they’ll be updated in the Ontario 511 app, which was created at the onset of the pandemic to help truckers identify rest stops, construction, road closures.
Projects on the list for 2021 include upgrades to:
• the Ontario/Manitoba rest area along Highway 17;
• the Umfreville rest area along Highway 72;
• the Rossport rest area along Highway 17;
• the Lodge Lake rest area along Highway 11;
• the Leonard Lake rest area along Highway 11;
• the Argon Lake rest area, along HIghway 17;
• the Manitouwadge rest area at Highway 17/64; and
• the Hearst (Ryland) rest area along Highway 11.
In 2022, relief will come in the form of:
• a new rest area at Mulligan Lake along Highway 599;
• upgrades to the Klotz Lake rest area along Highway 11; and
• a new rest area at Terrace Bay along Highway 17.
For 2023, the province will work on:
• a new rest area at Highway 11 and 64;
• upgrades to the Batchawana Tourist Info Centre on Highway 17; and
• a new rest area near Cochrane at Highway 11 and Highway 655.
A list with the full scope of the projects is available here.
