NOMA-LOGO - (Supplied via NOMA)

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) is calling on the federal and provincial governments to prioritize investments in Highway 11/17 between Kenora and Thunder Bay through to Nipigon, North Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie.

The organization has sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford, voicing strong support for the recent advocacy by the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM).

NOMA is also urging the governments to act on the shared vision for a two-plus-one highway system that enhances safety and supports trade.

The two-plus-one highway system features alternating passing lanes and median barriers, which according to NOMA, have been proven to reduce fatal collisions while offering a cost-effective alternative to full highway twinning.

“This corridor isn’t just a regional road; it’s a critical national trade route and lifeline for dozens of Northern and Indigenous communities,” said the President of NOMA Rick Dumas. “We fully support FONOM’s call to action and emphasize that the Northwest must be a strategic and immediate focus in any provincial or federal highway modernization plan.”

NOMA highlighted five key reasons why Northwestern Ontario’s Highway 11/17 corridor must be prioritized:

• Gateway to Western Canada: The route is Ontario’s primary link to western freight and trade, with disruptions rippling across the national supply chain.
• Urgent Safety Concerns: Long stretches of two-lane highway put drivers and remote communities at risk, particularly in winter.
• Resource and Economic Growth: Highway 11 in particular supports mining, forestry, and agricultural growth, including access to the Ring of Fire.
• Equity for Indigenous Communities: Many First Nations rely on these roads for basic services, emergency response, and opportunity.
• Climate and Emergency Resilience: These routes are vital for wildfire response and future climate-driven evacuation needs.

NOMA and FONOM represent a total of 140 municipalities in the region.

“Northern Ontario plays a central role in Canada’s economy, natural resource development, and supply chain security,” Dumas added. “It’s time our infrastructure reflected that.”

NOMA’s letter concludes stating that Highways 11 and 17 must receive the same urgency and investment as other provincial corridors.