Province plans to widen five-kilometre stretch of Highway 417
The Ontario government is planning to widen a five-kilometre section of the Queensway to four lanes in each direction.
Widening the stretch of Highway 417 from Maitland Avenue is part of a long-developed plan that originated before the city of Ottawa decided to run its LRT alongside the highway.
Transportation minister Caroline Mulroney made the announcement Thursday, although she did not commit to a timeline or cost estimate for the project.
“We’re working to implement it as quickly as possible, and I know there will be some news on that in the weeks to come,” she said at an announcement in Plantagenet, Ont.
The announcement Thursday is part of a new draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario. Other new projects include widening Highway 401 to eight lanes in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, as well as the addition of new truck stops along the 401.
"Gridlock continues to back up the highways and major gaps exist in the inner community bus sector, making it harder for people to get to their jobs, medical appointments and to visit their loved ones," Mulroney said of widening Hwy. 417.
The plan to widen Highway 417 all the way to the 416 originates from planning done before the city decided to build its LRT system. Stage 2 of the project, which is under construction, will run along part of the stretch of Highway 417 slated to be widened.
The previous Liberal government announced in 2016 it would widen the highway in two stretches. At the time, the provincial and federal governments each pledged $47.5 million for construction.
Work began shortly afterwards on the first stretch between Carling and Maitland avenues. But the new government had not committed to widening the second stretch until Thursday.
The government says the highway expansions will reduce gridlock and spur economic growth.
However, critics of the previous Highway 417 widening between Maitland and Carling avenues said it would undermine the LRT and lead to more cars downtown.
Two west end councillors suggest Ottawa now has other priorities.
"Circumstances have changed," Coun. Jeff Leiper said. "We have now a light rail system that parallels a lot of this route and is a better option for moving people around the city."
Leiper says widening the Hwy. 417 lanes could cost "hundreds of millions of dollars." That's money that could be better spent on improving transit to the suburbs, he said.
Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh said the Ontario government's announcement is "very tone deaf" to what's happening in the city.
"We have a climate change emergency. We are trying to discourage the use of cars. We have more people than ever working from home," Kavanagh said.
Government officials say construction on widening Hwy. 417 could start as early as 2025.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.