QUEEN’S PARK – Later this month Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski will meet with Transportation Minister Del Duca to discuss why the expansion of Highway 17 is not in the Ministry’s five-year plan. At that time MPP Yakabuski will stress the importance of this project not only to Renfrew County, but all of Eastern Ontario.
When it was revealed earlier this summer that the continued twinning of Highway 17 was not in the Ministry’s five-year plan, MPP Yakabuski wrote to the Minister to express his disappointment with the decision.
“Since I was first elected, one of the major issues brought to me by constituents has been the need to expand Highway 417” said the MPP.
He also noted that his constituents recognize that by not having this project in the five-year plan means significant delays. If unchanged, this will negatively affect Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke and Eastern Ontario for decades to come, MPP Yakabuski stressed.
He looks forward to the opportunity to meet with Minister Del Duca so that he and the Minister can have a detailed and constructive discussion about how Highway 17 can be moved up the Ministry’s priority list.
“Everyone recognizes that Highway 17’s omission from the five-year plan was a setback for this vitally important infrastructure project” said MPP Yakabuski. “But I remain committed to holding the government’s feet to the fire on this issue.”
MPP Yakabuski concluded by saying that he also looks forward to expressing the concerns of municipal leaders and constituents directly with Minister Del Duca and working with him and his staff to move this project forward.
