YQUEEN’S PARK – On Wednesday, March 22 in the Legislative Assembly Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski sought Transportation Minister Del Duca’s commitment to put the expansion of Highway 17 in the government’s five-year infrastructure plan. During the exchange, the MPP once again stressed the importance of this project not only for Renfrew County, but to the entire region of Eastern Ontario.
When it was revealed last year 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 displeasure with the decision. That correspondence lead to Minister Del Duca visiting the riding before Christmas to see firsthand the conditions on the roadway and to hear from local officials.
“As I said at the time, I appreciated the Minister coming to the riding to hear our concerns about Highway 17 not being in the Ministry’s five-year plan,” said MPP Yakabuski.
He also noted that during that meeting, the Minister himself stated that a compelling case for the twinning was made.
MPP Yakabuski was disappointed that the Minister did not clearly and unequivocally commit to putting Highway 17 into the five-year plan during Question Period today.
“All parties involved understand the importance of the project,” said the MPP. “Municipal officials and I have made the case—it is time for the Ministry to act.”
MPP Yakabuski concluded by saying that although he did not get a firm commitment from the Minister again, he is determined to continue to press for this issue because the importance of this project cannot be overstated.
