Ontario Moves Forward with Highway 17 Expansion in Eastern Ontario

The 22.5-kilometre twinning project will run from Scheel Drive near Arnprior to three kilometres west of Bruce Street near Renfrew. Highway 17 forms part of the Trans-Canada Highway system and is a critical transportation link for communities across the Ottawa Valley.

Design Phase Advances Major Corridor Upgrade

The RFP initiates the detailed design work required to expand this stretch of Highway 17 to four lanes. The first stage of the broader expansion was completed in November 2023, when construction wrapped up on a new bridge and interchange at Highway 17 and Calabogie Road.

“As President Trump’s tariffs continue to target families and businesses, it has never been more important to invest in the transportation infrastructure that will strengthen our province for years to come,” said Ric Bresee, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation. “Expanding Highway 17 will secure a vital trade corridor, fight gridlock and support good-paying jobs during construction.”

Billy Denault, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, described the corridor as essential to the region’s economy and daily life.

“This stretch of highway is a critical artery in the Ottawa Valley, connecting communities, supporting our economy and carrying families safely home each night,” Denault said. “This milestone is an important step forward for Renfrew County, and our government is getting it done.”

Part of a Broader Provincial Infrastructure Plan

The Highway 17 project forms part of Ontario’s broader $30 billion commitment to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges across the province. In Renfrew County, three additional new interchanges are planned alongside the Calabogie Road interchange already completed.

Provincial officials have linked the expansion to efforts to dismantle interprovincial trade barriers and strengthen domestic supply chains, particularly amid ongoing global trade uncertainty.

Walid Abou-Hamde, CEO of the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA), said investments in transportation infrastructure help stabilize the economy during periods of global trade disruption.

“Projects like the expansion of Highway 17 support local jobs and rely largely on domestic supply chains, ensuring infrastructure dollars deliver strong economic benefits,” Abou-Hamde said. He added that Highways 11 and 17 are vital nation-building corridors for northern Ontario.

Nadia Todorova, Executive Director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), called the expansion a significant milestone for Eastern Ontario’s infrastructure network, citing safety, congestion relief and economic growth benefits.

Safety and Regional Connectivity

Municipal leaders across Renfrew County emphasized the safety and connectivity improvements the project is expected to deliver.

Warden Jennifer Murphy of the County of Renfrew said the announcement is “first and foremost about safety for the people who travel this corridor every day,” while also representing a long-term investment in the Ottawa Valley’s future.

Daina Proctor, Mayor of Horton Township, welcomed the province’s investment in twinning the corridor, highlighting improved emergency access and community connectivity.

Tom Sidney, Mayor of Renfrew, said a four-lane Highway 17 will strengthen access to jobs and services while supporting economic opportunity for the town.

Lori Hoddinott, Mayor of McNab/Braeside, described Highway 17 as a critical corridor for local communities and the broader Trans-Canada network, noting the municipality looks forward to continued collaboration with the province.

Strategic Trade Corridor

Highway 17 is a central east-west route through Northern and Eastern Ontario, linking resource industries, manufacturing hubs and rural communities to larger urban markets.

By advancing the design phase of the Highway 17 expansion between Renfrew and Arnprior, Ontario is positioning the corridor for long-term growth, enhanced safety standards and increased capacity to move goods efficiently across the region.

Further details on construction timelines will follow as the design process advances.

GTA Today will continue to track major provincial transportation infrastructure projects and their economic impact across Ontario.