Thibeault announces $69M for northern roads projects

More than $69 million in funding Friday for seven northern highway projects to improve bridges, culverts and roads was announced by Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault Oct. 2.

“Winter is coming, and we need to ensure our roads are safe,” Thibeault said during a press conference outside the OPP detachment in Sudbury's South End, on Highway 69.

The funding is for projects that are currently underway, or about to begin in the near future, and include: dollars to rehabilitate the French River Bridge on Highway 59; new and expanded passing lanes on Highway 17, between Verner and Sturgeon Falls; resurfacing Highway 144 between Cartier and Onaping; resurfacing 20.4 kilometres of Highway 11 west of the Highway 631 junction; resurfacing 23.4 kilometres of Highway 108 south of Elliot Lake; and realigning of 3.2 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway 66 at Virginiatown.

“This money is coming from many areas,” Thibeault said.

The income sources for the projects, he said, include revenues from General Motors shares the province had sold, and expected revenues from selling 60 per cent of Hydro One in an initial public offering that would raise around $4 billion.

The province has said those funds will help cover its $130-billion infrastructure plan over the next 10 years.

But 165 municipalities across Ontario – including 36 in the northeast – have publicly opposed plans to sell off Hydro One shares.

Those who oppose the Hydro One sale say it could result in higher hydro rates under privatization and could put projects like the Ring of Fire at risk, due to the private sector's possible reluctance to invest in expensive, and remote, transmission lines without an immediate return on that investment.

Thibeault responded that it is the Ontario Energy Board, not Hydro One, that sets electricity rates in the province.

“What we're hearing from people right now is they're concerned about their rates going up,” he said.

But opponents such as CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn have said the Ontario Energy Board does not actually set hydro rates, but simply approves or rejects rate changes from the Hydro One board of directors.

Hahn has said that a privatized Hydro One would push for higher rates to ensure investors get a better return on their investments.

Thibeault said the $69 million announced for northern highway improvements is part of a total $560 million the province is investing in northern roads this year.