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KENORA REGION – August 18, 2026 – The Ontario government is planning to twin a new section of Highway 17 in Northwestern Ontario, with Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford calling on the federal government to contribute funding.
Rickford said 2027 is expected to be a busier year for highway twinning projects in the region. The province has identified a new stretch of Highway 17 for the work, which is aimed at improving safety and capacity on one of the main transportation corridors through Northwestern Ontario.
Highway safety has been a recurring priority for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and local municipalities. Officials have long argued that twinning more sections of Highway 17 is needed to reduce collisions and better handle growing traffic volumes, including commercial trucking.
Rickford noted that while the province is moving ahead with planning, federal participation would be important to accelerate the project.
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