MANITOULIN—The province announced last week it was investing $11.1 million into 16 kilometres of Highway 540 near Kagawong “to make travel easier and safer.” This does not include, however, paved shoulders.
“We regret that that has not yet been included,” said Maja Mielonen, chair of Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates, speaking of the paved shoulders, the issue on which her group has lobbied hard and with much success. Ms. Mielonen noted that she has the full support of all the Island municipalities, as well as Aundeck Omni Kaning with hopefully more First Nations to come, she said.
News that this portion of highway does not include paved shoulders will likely solicit a call to Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michal Mantha’s office, she said, who had rallied for this cause on many different occasions before.
Ms. Mielonen has not written the project off as a lost cause, however, noting that the paved shoulders along Highway 6 in the Bruce Peninsula came on an order from the premier herself.
Work will begin this spring to resurface 16 kilometres of Highway 540 west of Kagawong towards Gore Bay where work will begin to replace culverts at Bond Creek, Burnt Creek, Witty’s Creek and Ice Lake, rehabilitate the Kagawong Creek culvert and to replace the Kagawong Creek Tributary bridge. Portable traffic signals will regulate temporary lane closures on structures during construction.
When asked if resurfacing crews would pave this portion of Highway 540’s shoulders to make them bicycle friendly, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines spokesperson Julia Bennett explained the project would “maintain the existing road platform,” but pointed to the Highway 6 and Highway 551 paved shoulders of recent years, adding that “additional sections of Highway 6 northerly to Little Current are planned for construction sometime between 2017-19 timeframe in conjunction with road resurfacing.”
“Future decisions to implement active transportation infrastructure improvements on provincial highways will be made following completion of the cycling network study,” Ms. Bennett continued. “This will help us prioritize investments in cycling facilities and focus our limited resources where they will have the most benefit. Highway sections identified as part of this study will be reviewed during the next rehabilitation project for opportunities to implement improvements in keeping with Action 2.3 in #CycleON Action Plan 1.0.”
“While the network study initiative is underway, we continue to undertake actions to support the development of a more cycling friendly Ontario, such as the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure project to help municipalities build municipal cycling infrastructure,” Ms. Bennett added.
“Investing in highway infrastructure is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number one priority to grow the economy and create jobs,” a press release from the province states. “The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.”
“Our government’s investment in the Northern Highways Program ensures that vital transportation links in Northern Ontario are expanded and improved,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines. “This project will improve traffic flow and safety between Little Current and Gore Bay for the residents and thousands of visitors from all over the world who are drawn to Manitoulin Island each year.”
