Progress on Rest Stops: more coming, more needed
The map above, released in January 2021, indicates proposed locations for Ontario’s new, expanded and refurbished rest areas for Truckers. Image: MTO
Following their December 9 meeting with Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation staff, Truckers for Safer Highways’ (DFSH) Travis McDougall says they are pleased to see some of the planned rest areas being opened, although they have not yet seen a full status update.
“Hearst is open, which is good,” McDougall notes, “and the stop on Highway 17 north of Shabaqua. It’s good to see progress, and of course we would like to see more.”
McDougall and Jeff Orr, founders of the TFSH, met with MTO officials in a teleconference meeting which they requested earlier in 2022. The meeting was led by Richard Robinson, Team Leader of MTO’s Carrier Enforcement Program.
“It was a good meeting, and we covered lots of ground. The three most important item on the agenda were clearly enforcement, training, and rest areas,” McDougall told Road Warrior News.
10 new rest areas and 14 areas due to be refurbished which were announced by Minister Caroline Mulroney on January 7, 2021. Below is the list of projects which was released as part of that announcement. RWN has requested a progress update on these projects from MTO. Projects highlighted in blue are new rest stops, not a refurbishment of existing ones.
| Location | Project Description | Estimated Year of Completion |
| Gananoque truck rest area on Highway 401 westbound | Conversion of the former westbound commercial vehicle inspection facility to a truck rest area. Increasing truck parking to 29 spaces. | 2021 |
| Truck rest area along Highway 402 near Sarnia | New construction at the former Sarnia North commercial vehicle inspection facility on Highway 402 to convert the facility into a new truck rest area. | 2021 |
| Bainsville ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2021 |
| Cambridge North ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2021 |
| Cambridge South ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2021 |
| Ontario/Manitoba rest area along Highway 17 | Rehab and expanding 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 | Rehab of existing rest area. | 2021 |
| Leonard Lake rest area along Highway 11 | Rehab of 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 |
| Trenton South ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2022 |
| Gibson Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area. | 2022 |
| Gull Bay rest area along Highway 527 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2022 |
| Rest area along Highway 527 near Highway 811 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2022 |
| 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 |
| Turtle Lake rest area along Highway 622 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2023 |
| 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 work – addition of approximately eight new commercial vehicle parking spaces. Entrance improvements to make sure there is a safe entry/exit for commercial vehicles. | 2023 |
| Aramis rest area along Highway 11 | Increasing truck parking and improvements to make it an all-season rest area. | 2024 |
| Wild Goose Park rest area along Highway 11 | Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area. | 2024 |
| Rest area near Cochrane at Highway 11/655 | A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 655. | 2025 |
| Rest area north of Savant Lake Highway 599 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2025 |
| Rest area at Highway 11 and 631 | A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 631. | 2025 |
