THUNDER BAY – Michael Gravelle says he is still optimistic that the remaining work to divide the Trans-Canada Highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon will continue, despite the Progressive Conservative government not yet providing any firm commitment.
Gravelle, the long-time Thunder Bay-Superior North Liberal MPP, said he has discussed the fate of that project with the government but has yet to receive a definitive answer.
“To be fair to the government, they haven’t said no to it. They’ve haven’t said yes to it either,” Gravelle said on Tuesday. “That’s the situation we’re at and I’m hoping that because of the importance of this project, there will be success in the future and I’m optimistic there will be.”
Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek last week outlined a list of major highway project priorities, including twinning between Kenora and the Manitoba border, at the Ontario Road Builders’ Association conference. Absent was any mention of carrying on with the expansion between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, which the former Liberal government did for nearly a decade.
Energy, Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford, Northwestern Ontario’s lone voice in Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet, later in the week would not answer Thunder Bay reporters when asked about the status of that project.
Rickford, the MPP for Kenora-Rainy River and former Kenora federal representative, instead pointed to dividing the highway from Kenora heading west to the Manitoba border as a project that was ignored by the former Liberal regime.
Gravelle said he understands Rickford wanting the Kenora area four-laning to move ahead but doesn’t believe it has to be one or the other.
“That’s an important project as well and I hope it goes forward,” Gravelle said of the Kenora project.
“There were some challenges moving the project forward when we were in government. Hopefully those have been all resolved and the project can now move ahead. That’s great news but that doesn’t mean the project between Thunder Bay and Nipigon should be stopped.”
Gravelle, who has long championed the Thunder Bay to Nipigon project, said the highway is down to about 30 kilometres remaining to be funded.
“We’re close to a completed project on a stretch of the highway that has no alternate route at all,” Gravelle said. “It’s crucial that we support the project and I believe the government will do that.”
In September 2017, the federal Liberal government announced an $83 million contribution for 26 kilometres along the route.
Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu said highway twinning is important for people all across the region, adding she also doesn't believe the two projects need to be seen as competing against each other.
"I'm going to be doing everything in my power to make sure that money is spent in the way we agreed it would be spent during those announcements earlier in the last couple of years," Hajdu said. "We need to be looking at transportation of goods and people in a safe and efficient way all across Northwestern Ontario so we're going to have to stay focused on making sure the work continues on the eastern side as well."
The release of the Ford government’s first budget, which is expected to come in the spring, could provide some clarity, Gravelle said, adding he will be paying particular attention to the northern highways program.
“It’s a vital infrastructure project. It was determined a number of years ago that it was a crucial project to move forward on,” Gravelle said.
“I would like to think that the new government will continue to be seeing it as a priority project. It’s saving lives, it’s saving time. It’s valuable to the trucking industry and it’s valuable to the commercial industry.”
