News Release

New Bridge in Northwest Ontario Will Improve Safety, Boost Economy

July 31, 2009

McGuinty Government Upgrading Northern Highway Infrastructure

NEWS   

A bridge on Highway 105 near Ear Falls in Northwestern Ontario will be replaced to improve driver safety and traffic efficiency, and create about 70 jobs.

The 17 span timber trestle over the Chukuni River will be replaced with a new 84-metre steel girder bridge. It will be built in two halves to permit single lane traffic until completion in the fall of 2010.

Part of the Northern Highways Program, this initiative will improve the safety and efficiency of an important road that provides access to the communities of Red Lake and Balmertown and the forestry and mining operations in the area.

QUOTES

“The Ontario government is promoting new economic development and job creation by investing in the improvement of highways throughout Northwestern Ontario.”
- Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.

“Improving the Chukuni River Bridge will generate construction jobs and encourage economic growth in the region.”
- Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation.

QUICK FACTS

• The $9.5 million contract has been awarded to Bruno’s Contracting of Thunder Bay.
• The new Chukuni River Bridge will become the longest single span girder bridge in Ontario.  
• In 2009-10, the Ontario government will invest a record $648 million in the Northern Highways Program for highway rehabilitation, expansion and safety improvements.
• Investments in Northern Ontario’s highway infrastructure this year will create an estimated 4,700 jobs.
  

LEARN MORE

• Find out about highway initiatives in Northwestern Ontario.
• Read the Ontario government’s five-year investment plan for highway construction in Northern Ontario. 
  

Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister’s Office, 416 327-0655
Tom Marcolini, Programs & Transportation, 705 945-5836   

ontario.ca/north-news

143, NHP