Temiskaming chamber, MP to push for Highway 11 four-laning.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: TRANSPORTATION

Too many fatal crashes and road closures have spurred the Temiskaming and Area Chamber of Commerce to champion the cause of four-laning the northern stretch of Highway 11.

The chamber is taking its cue from Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin who wants the federal and provincial governments to begin a dialogue for upgrades along the 160-kilometre stretch between North Bay and Temiskaming Shores to improve safety and relieve congestion.

Aspin said southern Ontarians have enjoyed an east-west 400-series highway link for decades and it's time Northerners receive the same consideration from the province.

"I'm willing to push it from the federal level, but we need to impress upon the provincial government of the absolute need for this."

Highway 11 is part of the TransCanada Highway network to Manitoba and is the preferred route for commercial truck traffic to Western Canada. As part of the national highway system. Aspin said a four-laning project would be eligible for federal funding of between 25 and 50 per cent.

Aspin, who voiced his concerns at a Nov. 21 press conference in Temiskaming Shores, said the issue was driven home last September when a long-time friend, Andre Lamothe, owner of Temagami Marine, was killed in a car accident on the highway near New Liskeard.

Aspin said he was forced to cancel three funding announcements last summer in the north end of his riding because fatal accidents had closed the road.

"It kind of brought it home to me what a toxic mixture we have on this highway"

Aspin estimates commercial truck traffic has increased "fivefold" in the last decade and is convinced more people are on the road because of the province's cancellation of the Northlander passenger rail service in 2012.

"The highway's a killer, and it's far outstripped its capacity in my opinion."

Ministry of Transportation traffic counts taken between 2001 and 2010 at points north and south of the village of Latchford indicate commercial truck traffic has increased from more than 21.5 per cent to more than 34 per cent of the overall traffic flow.

Chamber president Darcy Griffith said taking on the four-laning issue has become a necessary one.

"The biggest challenge for us right now is the death happening on the highway. Far too many people are dying."

Griffith operates a uniform and mat rental company with delivery vehicles on the road.

"It is impacting not only the safety of those that work for us, but our families, friends and those visiting the area...