David Oh fights for Highway 17 improvements

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces Bill 149 public campaign to improve Highway 17 in Northern Ontario

Council resolution and public petition in support of Sault Ste. Marie MPP's private member's bill sent to communities along Highway 17

QUEEN'S PARK – David Orazietti, MPP is giving individuals and local elected officials an opportunity to voice their support for an improved Trans Canada Highway in Northern Ontario.

The Sault Ste. Marie MPP sent out a public petition and city council resolution today to Northern Ontario communities to gain support for his private member's bill that calls on the federal government to support enhancements to Highway 17.

"Northerners deserve a new deal from the federal government when it comes to Trans Canada Highway funding and historically there is a greater obligation that Ottawa needs to live up to," said Orazietti. "This is a chance for communities along Highway 17 to express their views and support a project that will improve the economy, safety and quality of life for everyone in Northern Ontario."

Bill 149 – An Act Respecting the Improvement of Highway 17, Part of the Trans Canada Highway – passed first reading on October 17, 2006, was introduced for second reading on October 26, 2006 and has been referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.

The act calls on the federal government to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with the province to improve the Northern Ontario section of the national highway.

The petition, to be made available through local municipal offices and city halls, offers citizens in communities along Highway 17 an opportunity to support Trans Canada improvements, as well as an opportunity to impress upon federal and provincial elected representatives the importance of this highway to their region.

Council resolutions will afford the same opportunity to municipal councillors representing communities across the North. "These petitions and resolutions will give others an opportunity to share the vision of a modernized TransCanada Highway in Northern Ontario, with improved safety measures such as additional passing lanes, paved shoulders, rumble strips, rest stops, and ultimately a four-lane divided highway," said Orazietti.

The provincial government has committed $843.5 million toward highways in Northern Ontario alone since 2004/05, but more improvements are needed to improve safety.

The Trans Canada Highway in Northern Ontario has the lowest percentage of four-laned highway when compared to any other jurisdiction in the country at only 10 percent.

Driving on certain portions of Highway 17 can be dangerous without separated traffic, especially in the winter time when snow and ice can create a challenge for even the most cautious of drivers.

An annual average of 39 fatalities occur as a result of collisions on the highway.

Bill 149 insists that the federal government help improve Highway 17 to address these safety concerns.

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