Renfrew – Detailed design for the new interchange at Highway 17 and Calabogie Road is underway and construction of the $25 million project will begin once the design and environmental assessment are complete.

The announcement was made Friday by Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski.

“Building a new interchange at Highway 17 and Calabogie Road provides increased safety and traffic improvements for this area while also laying the groundwork for the widening of Highway 17,” Mr. Yakabuski said. “We have made significant progress on this project and I can’t wait to see the positive impact it will have once completed.”

The construction of the new interchange at Calabogie Road in McNab/Braeside Township is Stage 1 of the project to widen 22.5 kilometres of Highway 17 in Renfrew County. The contract to design and build the new interchange was awarded to Aecon Construction Ontario East Limited. “Investing in local infrastructure projects helps put the province on the road to economic recovery,” said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney.

She said the construction of the new interchange puts local people to work and provides Renfrew County, and the province, with better highway infrastructure that allows people and goods to move more efficiently.

“Investing in local infrastructure projects helps put the province on the road to economic recover,” she said.

Mr. Yakabuski said the province is committed to maintaining a long-term working relationship with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, the Algonquins of Ontario and other affected Indigenous communities to ensure the successful completion of this project. The government supports the creation of meaningful economic opportunities for local Indigenous communities within the Ottawa area.

Wendy Jocko, Chief of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, is pleased with the collaborative spirit and level of engagement MTO has shown First Nation Consultation team.

“We look forward to continuing that relationship in support of this important initiative,” she said.

The detailed design for the new interchange is expected to begin immediately. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of 2023.

Stage 2 of the project will include building three additional new interchanges and widening Highway 17 from two lanes to four from Scheel Drive in McNab/Braeside Township to just west of Bruce Street in Horton Township.

Highway 17/417 is the longest provincial highway in Ontario, stretching for more than 1,900 kilometres from the Ontario/Manitoba border to the Quebec border in Eastern Ontario.