KAKABEKA FALLS — It's been talked about for decades, and likely won't be built for a number of years to come, but the mayor of Oliver Paipoonge is pleased to hear there's some movement on a highway project affecting residents of her municipality.
"I'm quite thrilled and very happy that it's come back to the forefront," said Lucy Kloosterhuis.
Last week, it was revealed that the Ministry of Transportation has started the preliminary design phase for twinning part of Highway 11/17 westward from Thunder Bay to the Kakabeka Falls area.
Although the MTO did not confirm this in response to an inquiry from Dougall Media, it's Kloosterhuis's understanding the highway would be twinned to about 10 kilometres west of Kakabeka Falls.
"And now they're looking at the section up to Mokomon, which will mean it will bypass the village of Kakabeka," she said. "There will be a new bridge [over the Kaministiquia River] and all the truck traffic that's been such a bother to everyone, both on 11/17 and 102/Dawson Road, will go down this section of highway, so it'll alleviate a lot of the traffic. Yes, it's terrific."
Kloosterhuis said the project will make travel safer for everyone, including tourists, truckers and local residents.
A bypass potentially could divert some visitors away from the village, but the mayor believes there would be an exit from the highway, "and you're still gonna get the tourists, because the park is what brings people there. And the locals are now there, and they're never going to leave the village. I think that concern has kind of gone away."
She said she hopes the government continues working toward actual construction.
"I know it's going to be awhile yet, but this is one step farther."
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland noted last week "At no means are we at a stage where we can announce a construction date."
He said the design phase for the 26-kilometre route includes establishing a precise route, determining drainage, structural and lighting needs, and environmental assessment.
