traffic

March 31 2026

Northern Ontario road safety measures, nothing new to Thunder Bay-area MPP

Randy Thoms News highway, safety, traffic

A northwestern Ontario MPP says a recent announcement to improve road safety in northern Ontario is a re-announcement.

The province is promising to hire more Ministry of Transportation inspectors and accelerate plans to four-lane Highway 11-17 between Thunder Bay and Shabaqua.

It includes the hiring of more Ministry of Transportation inspection officers and electronic road signs.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois says it sounds good, but they are really measures the government has promised before.

“These are re-announcements, so it’s not actually anything new, but it does show that they’re feeling the heat,” says Vaugeois.

There was no mention of staffing for an inspection station in Shuniah.

Vaugeois says there may be some action taking place.

” I heard… that 21 people are in the pipeline being trained for Shuniah. I’m hoping that they are coming from the region because the MTO has had a habit of sending people up from southern Ontario, and they get some training, and then they leave.”

The government’s announcement also offers no mention of plans to improve truck driver training.

Vaugeois says it is something the industry is looking for.

“I’ve met with many of the drivers; they want that training,” says Vaugeois.

“They want the industry regulated. They want to know that they’re safe on the highways.”

The NDP has put forward a separate private member’s bill addressing training.

It is before Queen’s Park, awaiting second reading.

March 18 2026

Multiple charges issued during traffic stop in Fort Frances.

Randy Thoms News crime, impaired, traffic

A decision by Ontario Provincial Police to stop a vehicle in Fort Frances has led to a man from North Caribou Lake facing several chanrges.

OPP says they initially pulled over the vehicle because it was missing its license plates.

During their investigation, officers determined the driver was behind the wheel while under suspension.

The 34-year-old was also charged with impaired driving after open liquor was spotted.

He was also charged with driving without plates and insurance, as well as failing to apply for an owner’s permit.

The driver was handed an automatic 90-day driver’s licence suspension, while the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

He is scheduled to appear before a Fort Frances courtroom in May.

March 17 2026

Dryden receives funding to help with planned bridge improvements

Randy Thoms News bridge, construction, Duke Street, traffic

The provincial government is helping Dryden with planned improvements to two bridges in the city.

The over $179,000 will be used toward the engineering and design work for the bridge at the west end of Duke Street and the overpass.

A 2024 inspection found the bridges still in good condition, but were showing signs of deterioration and corrosion.

“The most recent 2024 OSIM inspections identified localized deterioration and age-related wear on both structures, including concrete delamination, corrosion, joint deterioration, and coating deficiencies,” reads a city administration report presented to council last November.

“While both bridges remain in Good condition, proactive rehabilitation design is required to maintain safety and extend service life.”

The engineering work is scheduled to take place this year and is expected to be completed by next March.

The city then hopes to seek out additional funding for the improvements.

March 9 2026

OPP issue 167 charges during traffic enforcement campaign in Rainy River District

Randy Thoms News police, traffic

Some motorists were caught off guard on the weekend.

Provincial Police across the Rainy River District conducted a two-day traffic enforcement blitz.

OPP say 171 vehicles were stopped, with 167 motorists charged with various offences under the Highway Traffic Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.

Another 127 motorists were issued warnings.

Police say many of the charges are related to speeding and seatbelt infractions.

“The OPP remains committed to enhancing road safety through proactive enforcement and public education,” a release states.

“Motorists are reminded that seatbelts save lives and that speeding significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death in a collision. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, buckle up, and remain attentive behind the wheel to help keep Ontario roads safe for everyone.”

Similar traffic enforcement initiatives also occurred in other parts of northwestern Ontario.

February 13 2026

Province prepares to dole out $210 million on road safety initiatives

Randy Thoms News traffic

Municipalities now know how much money is available if they want to implement road safety measures that slow down traffic.

It is a $210 million fund, as part of the Road Safety Initiatives Fund.

The Ford government promised financial assistance to help slow down traffic after making the use of cameras to catch speeders illegal.

“Our government is protecting Ontario by keeping costs down for drivers while ensuring our roads remain among the safest in North America,” states Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, in a release.

“This additional funding through the Road Safety Initiatives Fund will give municipalities the tools they need to invest in infrastructure that reduces speeding in real time, rather than issuing speeding tickets weeks after violations occur.”

Municipalities can use the new money on such things as speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, signage or increased police enforcement.

The province will start accepting applications on February 19th.

Road closed sign against a bright blue sky

February 13 2026

Update: Highway 11 reopened following fatal collision near Greenstone

Evan Taylor News highway closure, traffic

Highway 11 is now open once more from Nipigon to Cochrane following a fatal collision near Kenogamisis Dam Road.

The collision caused an extended period of highway closures as the Greenstone OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) investigated the crash scene.

Police were called to the scene around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The OPP has now revealed that three vehicles were involved in the crash: two tractor-trailers and a pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 43-year-old from Toronto, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two individuals, including a passenger in the pickup truck, were airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.

One other person was transported to hospital with unknown injuries.

Images shared online show the result of the crash.

The OPP is asking anyone who may have witnessed the event, or who may have relevant dashcam footage, to reach out at 1-888-310-1122.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

February 6 2026

Fatal collision west of Thunder Bay

Evan Taylor News opp, Thunder Bay, traffic

A 23-year-old woman from Poplar Hill and a 28-year-old woman from Eabametoong First Nation have been pronounced dead following a collision on Highway 17 near Thunder Bay.

Members of the Thunder Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say the crash occurred on Thursday evening at around 9 p.m. and involved a pickup truck and an SUV.

Two other people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The highway was closed between Sistonen Corners and Highway 130 for several hours overnight while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.

All lanes are now open to traffic, and motorists can resume normal travel.

There’s no word yet of exactly what caused the crash.

The OPP are asking anyone who may have witnessed the event or who may have relevant dashcam footage to reach out at 1-888-310-1122.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

February 2 2026

OPP charge Thunder Bay man in collision near Schreiber

Randy Thoms News collision, traffic

No injuries were reported, but a Thunder Bay driver has been charged in connection with a collision that occurred on Highway 11 west of Schreiber.

Provincial Police say two vehicles came into contact on their passenger sides, with one failing to remain at the scene.

The collision occurred as one vehicle was passing a transport on a curve.

That vehicle was later located.

The 25-year-old driver from Thunder Bay was charged with dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene, failing to report the collision and failing to wear a seat belt.

November 13 2025

Fort Frances taking next step toward possible roundabout

Randy Thoms News Roundabout, traffic

Fort Frances town council will move ahead with the design work on a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Central Avenue, Second and Third Streets.

An application is being forwarded to the provincial government to help offset the costs.

The decision reacts to a consultant’s report that recommends a roundabout.

The report says it is the most appropriate solution to address traffic flow and improve safety.

Construction costs could come as high as $4.7 million for a two-laned roundabout that would include an additional lane for lane for U.S. bound traffic.

The report notes that the town could spend up to $3 million to simply reconfigure the intersection and bring the existing traffic signals up to standard, but it would not provide the same benefits.

Operations and Facilities Manager Travis Rob says the decision to proceed will not be made until the design work is complete.

“Provided we are successful in our grant application, we will proceed with detailed design. A stage of that would be coming back with more refined design options and a decision on which design we’re going to go with,” says Rob.

The cost of a roundabout is concerning to some councillors.

Councillor Bill Morrison notes the figures identified in the consultant’s report are a lot higher than the estimates provided by Administration.

“When this was first brought to council, it was estimated, I believe you said, one to $2 million. It looks like to me, it’s gonna be like $5 million,” says Morrison.

“If it goes over, then all of a sudden the town’s gonna be on the hook. And what I can see here, if it’s up to $6 million, then all of a sudden we’re going to be able to look for an extra million in addition to our 10%.”

Councillor Steve Maki has similar concerns, noting that other projects have come in well over estimates.

“So $4.7 million could be five, six, $7 million,” says Maki.

“I think at this point, we as council should be deciding whether we even want to go ahead and spend the $50,000 on the engineering report when we know we’re going to be at $5 million or more.”

Rob says the design and engineering study will better determine what the final cost may be.

As the intersection is on a roadway that serves as a link to the provincial highway network, the province, through its Connecting Links program, will provide 90% funding for the studies and construction up to $5 million.

The town is budgeting $200,000 for the detailed design work.

The following are concepts of different versions of roundabouts offered by consultants and are not reflective of any final decision made by town council.