News Projects Roads & Paving
Aecom awarded contract for North America’s first 2+1 highway in Northern Ontario

NORTH BAY, Ont. – Aecom Canada has received the contract for environmental assessment and design work on a 2+1 highway addition to be built along Highway 11 north of North Bay.

The three-lane highway will incorporate a passing lane that changes direction approximately every two to five kilometres. The 2+1 highway model is a cost-efficient alternative to highway twinning, according to a press release by the province. The highway will be the first of its kind in North America.

As part of their assessment, Aecom will consult on the location of the project, which has been narrowed down to a 14-kilometre stretch between San Dam Road and Ellesmere Road, and a 16-kilometre stretch from Highway 64 to Jumping Caribou Lake Road.

These locations were chosen based on a site selection criteria report that was posted for comment in September 2021. While both sites are being considered, priority is currently being given to design and environmental assessment of the San Dam to Ellesmere corridor.

The project was initially announced in December 2021, as a pilot in an overall initiative by the Ontario government to expand and add safety to infrastructure in the province’s North.