Hwy 69 widening continues: Ontario unveils another 11 km for drivers

The province says 11 kilometres of four-lane highway will soon be fully open to traffic on Highway 69.

The new section runs from north of Highway 64 to north of Highway 607, near the Municipality of French River.

Work included construction of a new bridge underpass at Highway 64,as part of a new interchange.

Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault says traffic markers that stop motorists from using the new routewill soon be gone.

"We're looking at probably by the August long weekend that those pylons will be removed, and we'll have the four lanes open and operational all the way by then," he said.

"But the four-lane is complete now. They just [have] the finishing touches to do."

The province spent about $61million to complete the project through the Northern Highways Program.

Earlier this year, the province also awarded a $173millioncontract to widen an additional 14 kilometres on Highway 69.

That section runs from just north of Highway 607 to just north of Highway 522.

Quick Facts

• Work on the latest expansion involved the excavation, embankment, and installation of nearly 3.7 million cubic metres of rock, pavement, and other materials.
• To date, Ontario has completed 70 kilometres of the Highway 69 four-lane expansion, 14 kilometres are under construction and 68 kilometres are undergoing engineering and property acquisition.
• Ontario has invested more than $770 million since 2003 to expand and improve 70 kilometres of Highway 69.

Source: Ministry of Transportation