Ontario Construction News staff writer
Several truck stops across Ontario will be renovated and 10 new rest areas will be created over the next five years.
“Truck drivers spend long hours moving goods of every type and description on our roadways and we need to ensure they have a modern, safe and welcoming place to stop and rest,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation. “During the pandemic our carriers and drivers have been going above and beyond to get essential goods to market and we truly appreciate their effort, especially during this busy holiday season.”
To support the province’s trucking sector, Ontario has ensured that parking and washrooms remain open at all 23 ONroutes, and there are more portable washrooms at truck inspection stations.
New investments in infrastructure improvements will support the movement of goods, including:
- Better lighting at new and improved rest areas where possible to improve visibility and safety.
- Better signage at all rest areas to clarify vehicle size restrictions and access.
- New rest area signs on the highway will show a “cars only” tab when the site can only be accessed by smaller vehicles. If a site has separate truck parking, the signage within the rest area will direct trucks and cars to their designated area.
- As part of its highway improvement plans, the province will introduce more or improve turn lanes to accommodate large vehicles where feasible.
Also, as part of its efforts to improve rest areas, the province is working with trucking industry partners to raise awareness about human trafficking, in step with Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy. Traffickers are known to use the 400-series highways to move victims across jurisdictions and professionals who work in the trucking industry play a vital role in helping to combat human trafficking.
The province is also partnering with ONroute to educate the public about the signs of human trafficking and raise awareness about the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline. This information is available online and will be posted at ONroute locations, rest areas, carpool lots and truck inspection stations.
“Raising awareness is a key part of our Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy and the first line of defence against stopping such a horrific crime,” said Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. “We appreciate the support of Ontario’s trucking industry and other transportation sector partners in sharing information and helping to combat human trafficking in
As an essential service and key stop along the 400-series highways, ONRoute is working with the Government of Ontario to expand our services and amenities, including adding much-needed parking, to better serve the drivers who keep our economy moving.”
| Location | Project Description |
| 2021 | |
| Gananoque truck rest area on Highway 401 westbound | Conversion of the former westbound commercial vehicle inspection facility to a truck rest area. Increasing truck parking to 29 spaces. |
| Truck rest area along Highway 402 near Sarnia | New construction at the former Sarnia North commercial vehicle inspection facility on Highway 402 to convert the facility into a new truck rest area. |
| Bainsville ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. |
| Cambridge North ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. |
| Ontario/Manitoba rest area along Highway 17 | Rehab and expanding existing facilities. Work includes enhanced lighting, renovating interior and exterior washrooms, improved heating/insulation, provide WIFI, and new information kiosks. |
| Umfreville rest area along Highway 72 | Entrance improvements at the existing rest area. |
| Rossport rest area along Highway 17 | Entrance improvements at the existing rest area. |
| Leonard Lake rest area along Highway 11 | Rehab of existing rest area. |
| Argon Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Expanding and repairing existing rest area, including the addition of all-season washrooms. |
| Manitouwadge rest area at Highway 17/614 | all-season washrooms, build a new entrance, improve lighting and increase parking capacity. |
| Hearst (Ryland) Rest Area along Highway 11 | Expanding existing rest area to include all-season washrooms and increased parking capacity for both passenger and commercial vehicles. |
| 2022 | |
| Trenton South ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. |
| Gibson Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area. |
| Gull Bay rest area along Highway 527 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. |
| Rest area along Highway 527 near Highway 811 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. |
| Mulligan Lake rest area along Highway 599 | New rest area. The new site will include washrooms and seasonal parking areas. |
| Klotz Lake rest area along Highway 11 | Expanding existing rest area to increase parking capacity for commercial vehicles. |
| Terrace Bay rest area along Highway 17 | New rest area. The new site will include year-round running water, washrooms and commercial vehicle parking. |
| Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2023 | |
| Turtle Lake rest area along Highway 622 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. |
| Rest area at Highway 11 and 64 | Rehab work – addition of approximately eight new commercial vehicle parking spaces. Entrance improvements to make sure there is a safe entry/exit for commercial vehicles. |
| Batchawana Tourist Info Centre – Highway 17 | Rehab work – addition of approximately eight new commercial vehicle parking spaces. Entrance improvements to make sure there is a safe entry/exit for commercial vehicles. |
| 2024 | |
| Aramis rest area along Highway 11 | Increasing truck parking and improvements to make it an all-season rest area. |
| Wild Goose Park rest area along Highway 11 | Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area. |
| 2025
|
|
| Rest area near Cochrane at Highway 11/655 | A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 655. |
| Rest area north of Savant Lake Highway 599 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. |
| Rest area at Highway 11 and 631 | A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 631. |