RENFREW: The Hounorable Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, attended an information event hosted by Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski at St Francis Xavier Hall in Renfrew on Friday, Dec. 2.
Minister Del Duca had previously expressed an interest in visiting Renfrew County to meet and discuss key transportation issues and unique culture, when he met with a small delegation of County of Renfrew Elected Officials led by Warden Peter Emon earlier this year at Queen’s Park.
The event began with messages of welcome by MPP Yakabuski, Warden of the County of Renfrew Peter Emon, and Don Eady, Mayor of Renfrew.
Presentations to the Minister were then delivered by the County of Renfrew, Garrison Petawawa, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, the Town of Renfrew and by Pembroke Mayor Michael LeMay. The presentations all highlighted the importance of twinning Highway 17 beyond the current phase that ends at Scheel Drive just west of Arnprior. There was specific focus on the economic benefits, safety and the investment by local municipalities in supporting infrastructure along the highway corridor.
Following the meeting, Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson said it was a good meeting. It was great that MPP Yakabuski was able to get the Minister to come to the County. Minister De Duca admitted he knew the county presentation word for word, but had not heard a presentation from the Commanding Officer of Garrison Petawawa or Candian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).
The minister had no idea there were about 11,000 people going to and from work each day on a two-lane highway, the mayor said.
“That creates a dangerous situation on a two-lane highway,” he said.
Mayor Johnson also noted the minister showed concern when he realized if Garrison Petawawa had to deploy in an emergency, all traffic between Petawawa and Arnprior would have to be removed from Highway 17.
While Highway 17 would go to the east of Cobden and not through it as it does now, Mayor Johnson has no concerns people won’t visit the town.
“We will make sure there are reasons to leave the highway and come here,” he said.
Mayor Johnson noted Minister Del Duca said the four-laning of Highway 417 is on the radar, where it is on the radar won’t be known until next year’s provincial budget is handed down.
The Minister, MPP Yakabuski and Warden Emon took a brief driving tour of the highway to view the current work underway and to discuss the need to get a commitment from the Province in terms of adding the twinning of Highway 17 to the Province’s 5-year infrastructure plan.
“Keeping our highways in good condition helps manage traffic flow and improve the movement of goods, services and people across the region,” stated Minister Del Duca. “This project is an example of how we are creating infrastructure that will fuel the economy, create jobs and improve safety, making Renfrew County a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
MPP Yakabuski said, “There is total agreement throughout Renfrew County that the four-laning of Highway 17 is our number one infrastructure priority. Having Minister Del Duca join us today allowed us all to present our case while giving him the full benefit of the lay of the land as well. I look forward to continuing to work with Minister Del Duca and the County of Renfrew
County warden Emon added, “This is a very important project in the Province of Ontario. For Renfrew County, this is the key to economic development and our connection to the rest of Canada.
“We will continue to work with our MPP, John Yakabuski, Minister Del Duca and many other partners to bring the four-laning of the highway through to the Town of Renfrew within the next 10 years, and across the County beyond that.”
