Calls Grow for Ontario to Update Highway 69 Twinning Plans South of Sudbury

Residents and the mayor of Sudbury are calling on the Ontario government to issue a public update on next steps to finish widening Highway 69 south of Sudbury. The province has not yet completed the four-laning of a 68-kilometre stretch despite commitments made since the early 2000s. On Thursday night, about 20 people gathered at Sudbury’s Bell Park to highlight the issue.

and Recent Fatalities Resident Mary

Michasiw said multiple deaths have occurred on the undivided section. “We’ve lost too many people on the highways,” she said. ” Michasiw noted that many residents use the route to reach medical appointments in Toronto. She said seniors in particular travel the highway for eye surgeries and other procedures.

Last month, Vinod and Shilpa Patel died in a crash on the undivided portion. Their son, Arsh Patel, said the family wants the highway fixed so others avoid similar losses.

Sudbury mayor Paul Lefebvre issued a statement Thursday night urging the province to provide a clear public update on the remaining 68 kilometres. He said he met this past week with Ontario transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.

“The funding is in place, the need is clear and what people in our region need now is an update on how the province intends to get the job done,” Lefebvre said. The Progressive Conservative government has described the project as a priority. Graydon Smith, the MPP for Parry-Sound Muskoka, said work continues behind the scenes on the complicated stretch that runs through three First Nations.