Ontario Expanding Trans-Canada Highway Near Nipigon
Province widening Highway 11/17 from McGuire Road to Coughlin Road News Release | September 28th, 2026
SHUNIAH — The Ontario government has started construction to widen Highway 11/17 from McGuire Road to Coughlin Road, marking another milestone in the province’s plan to improve road safety and support economic growth in northern Ontario by twinning more than 107 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
“Our government is making historic investments in highway infrastructure, including the expansion of the Trans-Canada corridor,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Highway 11/17 is a key link, supporting Ontario’s position as an economic powerhouse, strengthening interprovincial trade and helping to reduce barriers that cost us billions of dollars annually.”
The province is widening five kilometres of Highway 11/17 from McGuire Road to Coughlin Road, northwest of the existing two-lane corridor. The section will feature two lanes in each direction, separated by a grass median, and two new bridges across the Black Sturgeon River.
"I’m happy to see our government investing in northern road infrastructure that is critical for travel, trade and our regional economy. 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." said The Hon. Kevin Holland MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan " This work is an important part of building a stronger transportation network that supports our communities, local industries and long-term economic growth across the North."
"Every new stretch of four-laned highway on 11/17 is another step toward building the safer, more reliable transportation corridor northern Ontario deserves,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This highway is critical to connecting our communities, moving the goods and resources that power Ontario's economy and defending Canadian sovereignty."
Building on the government’s commitment to improve highway and road safety in the north, Ontario is implementing 24/7 operations of the Shuniah truck inspection station on Highway 11/17. This expanded operation will strengthen enforcement and help ensure commercial vehicles are operating safely for everyone travelling on the highway. The $30 million inspection site gives enforcement personnel a cutting-edge facility to identify potential issues with commercial vehicles and keep northern roads safe.
Highway 11/17 is a vital link in the Trans-Canada Highway network which supports the movement of billions of dollars of goods across the country every year. As the province continues to dismantle interprovincial trade barriers that cost Canada’s economy $200 billion annually, expanding the Trans-Canada Highway is a critical part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by driving growth and building a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant economy.
Quick Facts
In November 2025, the province completed major construction to widen Highway 11/17 from Coughlin Road to Highway 582 and from Highway 587 to Pearl Lake, including two new bridges over the Pearl River.
Detail design work is underway to widen Highway 11/17 from Pearl Lake to Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Overhead at Ouimet (7.6 km).
Preliminary design work is underway to widen Highway 11/17 from Highway 582 to Dorion East Loop Road (11 km).
Ontario is investing $31 billion over 10 years to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges across the province.
The Government of Canada will provide up to $26,050,000 for this project through the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component.
Quotes
"RCCAO commends the Government of Ontario for moving forward with the widening of Highway 11/17, a critical step toward building safer, more reliable infrastructure and a more connected transportation corridor in Northern Ontario. Twinning this key section of the Trans-Canada Highway will strengthen the movement of people and goods, support communities across the region and help position Northern Ontario for continued economic growth." - Nadia Todorova Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario
"A four laned highway 11/17 corridor should be seen as a national priority and a truly nation-building project. At a time of economic uncertainty, investments like highway 11/17 create good, direct jobs while generating significant economic benefits throughout the broader supply chain and local communities. As a vital part of the Trans-Canada Highway, a four laned Highway 11/17 will enable safer and more reliable trade, improve the movement of goods and people across provincial boundaries, and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Ontario and Canada. ORBA and our members commend the Ontario government for continuing to advance this critical corridor and investing in infrastructure that will deliver economic benefits for generations to come." - Walid Abou-Hamde CEO, Ontario Road Builders’ Association
"This investment is another important step toward completing the four-laning of Highway 11/17 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. Completing the remaining sections must be a priority. NOMA will continue working with both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to advance four-laning along Highway 11/17 and build the safe, reliable and resilient national transportation corridor that Northwestern Ontario and Canada need." - Rick Dumas President, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association
"FONOM welcomes this important expansion of Highway 11/17. This project shows what the provincial and federal governments can achieve when they work together. That same partnership is essential to developing and completing a phased plan to four-lane Highways 11 and 17 across Northern Ontario, improving safety and strengthening Canada’s national transportation network." - Dave Plourde President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities
