Friday, March 29, 2024
This graphic released January 7, 2021, indicates Rest Area scheduled to be created or refurbished by the Province of Ontario.
NewsRoad Safety DiscussionTrucking

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.

Click here to visit TFSH

“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.

LocationProject DescriptionEstimated Year of Completion
Gananoque truck rest area on Highway 401 westboundConversion 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 SarniaNew 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 ONrouteIncreasing truck parking at the existing ONroute.2021
Cambridge North ONrouteIncreasing truck parking at the existing ONroute.2021
Cambridge South ONrouteIncreasing truck parking at the existing ONroute.2021
Ontario/Manitoba rest area along Highway 17Rehab 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 72Entrance improvements at the existing rest area.2021
Rossport rest area along Highway 17Entrance improvements at the existing rest area.2021
Lodge Lake rest area along Highway 17Rehab of existing rest area.2021
Leonard Lake rest area along Highway 11Rehab of existing rest area.2021
Argon Lake rest area along Highway 17Expanding and repairing existing rest area, including the addition of all-season washrooms.2021
Manitouwadge rest area at Highway 17/614This 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 11Expanding existing rest area to include all-season washrooms and increased parking capacity for both passenger and commercial vehicles. 2021
Trenton South ONrouteIncreasing truck parking at the existing ONroute.2022
Gibson Lake rest area along Highway 17Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area.2022
Gull Bay rest area along Highway 527A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas.2022
Rest area along Highway 527 near Highway 811A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas.2022
Mulligan Lake rest area along Highway 599New rest area. The new site will include washrooms and seasonal parking areas.2022
Klotz Lake rest area along Highway 11Expanding existing rest area to increase parking capacity for commercial vehicles.2022
Terrace Bay rest area along Highway 17New rest area. The new site will include year-round running water, washrooms and commercial vehicle parking.2022
Turtle Lake rest area along Highway 622A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas.2023
Rest area at Highway 11 and 64A new rest area/pull-off area at Highway 11 and Highway 64. 2023
Batchawana Tourist Info Centre – Highway 17Rehab 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 11Increasing truck parking and improvements to make it an all-season rest area.2024
Wild Goose Park rest area along Highway 11Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area.2024
Rest area near Cochrane at Highway 11/655A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 655.2025
Rest area north of Savant Lake Highway 599A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas.2025
Rest area at Highway 11 and 631A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 631.2025