Improvements are coming to the Highway 17 rest stop near the Ontario/Manitoba boundary.
The province is upgrading lighting, renovating interior and exterior washrooms, improving heating, as well as introducing WIFI service and new information kiosks.
Work is underway and is expected to be completed in 2021.
In total, the government is fixing ten existing stops and building four new ones across northern Ontario.
Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney says the current state of regional rest areas is unacceptable.
Mulroney notes this is the start of a long-term plan.
“Ontario is developing a regional transportation plan for northern Ontario that will help build a better transportation system to keep people and goods moving. This will create more economic opportunities in the region.”
Here is the provincial rest stop improvement plan for northern Ontario:
| Location | Project Description | Estimated Year of Completion |
| Ontario/Manitoba Rest Area along Highway 17 | Expanding and repairing existing facilities. Work includes enhanced lighting, renovating interior and exterior washrooms, improved heating/insulation, provide WIFI, and new information kiosks. | 2021 |
| Umfreville rest area along Highway 72 | Entrance improvements at the existing rest area. | 2021 |
| Rossport rest area along Highway 17 | Entrance improvements at the existing rest area. | 2021 |
| Lodge Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Repairing existing rest area. | 2021 |
| Leonard Lake rest area along Highway 11 | Repairing existing rest area. | 2021 |
| Argon Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Expanding and repairing existing rest area, including the addition of all-season washrooms. | 2021 |
| Manitouwadge rest area at Highway 17/614 | This rest area is owned and operated by the Municipality of Manitouwadge. In partnership with the Municipality of Manitouwadge, the province will construct all-season washrooms, build a new entrance, improve lighting and increase parking capacity. This site will accommodate pick up/drop off by Ontario Northland Bus Lines. | 2021 |
| 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. | 2021 |
| Mulligan Lake rest area along Highway 599 | New rest area. The new site will include washrooms and seasonal parking areas. | 2022 |
| Klotz Lake rest area along Highway 11 | Expanding existing rest area to increase parking capacity for commercial vehicles. | 2022 |
| Terrace Bay rest area along Highway 17 | New rest area. The new site will include year-round running water, washrooms and commercial vehicle parking. | 2022 |
| Rest area at Highway 11 and 64 | A new rest area/pull-off area at Highway 11 and Highway 64. | 2023 |
| Batchawana Tourist Info Centre – Highway 17 | Rehab: addition of approximately eight new commercial vehicle parking spaces. Entrance improvements for safe ingress/egress for commercial vehicles. | 2023 |
| Rest area near Cochrane at Highway 11/655 | A new year-round facility at the intersection of Hwy 11 and Hwy 655. | 2025 |
