Feasibility study re improvements to Sultan Road
WHEREAS the distance from Sudbury to Wawa on Highway 17 is 526 kms and the distance from Sudbury to Wawa via the Sultan route is 422 kms at present; and
WHEREAS the Sultan route includes 81 kms of gravel road and 341 kms of 80 km paved highway; and
WHEREAS Highway 17 from Sault Ste Marie to Wawa is very hilly in several sections and transports have difficulty at times traversing these hills and lose much time and use more fuel to do so; and
WHEREAS the Sault Ste Marie to Wawa section of Highway 17 is in a snow belt and subject to lake effect snow blizzards and as a result is often dangerous to travel in the winter months and is closed often as a result of these storms and ensuing accidents; and
WHEREAS the Sultan Road is mainly flat terrain and not subject to lake effect storms; and
WHEREAS with the increase in the costs of gasoline and diesel fuel it is important that we look at ways to reduce fuel consumption for all travellers on our highways; and
WHEREAS a reduction in consumption also reduces the amount of pollution and lessens the carbon footprint; and
WHEREAS with fewer kilometres to travel and on an improved highway, travel time for a now 6.5 hour drive could be reduced to a 4 – 4.5 hour drive; and
WHEREAS improving the roads in this area of Ontario falls within the scope of the “Grow North Plan” for opening up Northern Ontario;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association request that the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Transportation do a feasibility study on the costs and benefits of improving the “Sultan Road” and Highways 144, 667, 129, and 101 to the same class as Highway 17; and
FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, the Minister of Transportation, and the Ontario Good Roads Association for their information and support.
Adopted by the membership: April 2011
