Why Four Lanes?
As a gateway to Northern Ontario, as a strategic link in the Trans-Canada Highway System, and as the main local commuter and recreational route, use of Highway 69 has grown steadily since it was first opened to Sudbury in the 1950's. In recent decades, growing traffic volumes have resulted in unsatisfactory service levels, as evidenced by the congestion experienced during the summer months.
The Ministry of Transportation has dedicated considerable resources to study the conditions and needs of the Highway 69 corridor. Beginning with The Muskoka Area Study of 1972, the MTO recognised the potential advantage and desirability of developing a four lane controlled access highway along the Highway 69 corridor from Highway 400 to the Parry Sound area.
As well, the growing volumes on the highway for the 20 km immediately south of the City of Greater Sudbury prompted MTO to study this corridor in 1998 and determine a route for a new four lane controlled access highway.
Four-laning provides several benefits to Ontario motorists and our visitors:
- It improves travel times between northern and southern population centres;
- It reduces the likelihood and duration of road closures due to collision clean-up and accident investigations;
- It improves access to already developed areas, allowing for continued development and growth of the local tourist and recreational sector; and, most importantly,
- It improves the safety of the Highway 69 route by reducing congestion and making passing easier, providing controlled access to the roadway, and separating northbound and southbound traffic with a median.
