Rest Stops: 2 new, 8 refurbished, 18 projects yet to start
On January 7, 2021, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney announced that Ontario would invest in Rest Stops.
“The Ontario government is improving 14 existing truck rest areas, building 10 new rest areas and adding 178 additional truck parking spaces at four existing ONroute travel plazas. This is part of the province’s five-year plan to keep Ontario’s roads and highways among the safest in North America and maintain the safe movement of essential goods,” stated the press release.
A little over two years later, Road Warrior News has received updated information on the current status of the Rest Stop expansion and improvement plan, as detailed below. It appears four additional projects have been added as “refurbishments,” which may be limited to adding new parking spaces. Two new projects have been opened, and eight refurbishments are complete. The remaining projects are still in the design phase.
| Location | Project Description | Estimated Year of Completion | Status |
| 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 | Completed |
| 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 | Completed |
| Bainsville ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2021 | |
| Cambridge North ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2021 | Design phase |
| Cambridge South ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2021 | Design phase |
| 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 | Completed |
| Umfreville rest area along Highway 72 | Entrance improvements at the existing rest area. | 2021 | Design phase |
| Rossport rest area along Highway 17 | Entrance improvements at the existing rest area. | 2021 | Design phase |
| Lodge Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Rehab of existing rest area. | 2021 | Completed |
| Leonard Lake rest area along Highway 11 | Rehab of existing rest area. | 2021 | Completed |
| Argon Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Expanding and repairing existing rest area, including the addition of all-season washrooms. | 2021 | Completed |
| 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 | Completed |
| 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 | Completed |
| Trenton South ONroute | Increasing truck parking at the existing ONroute. | 2022 | Design phase |
| Gibson Lake rest area along Highway 17 | Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area. | 2022 | Design phase |
| Gull Bay rest area along Highway 527 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2022 | Design phase |
| Rest area along Highway 527 near Highway 811 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2022 | Design phase |
| Mulligan Lake rest area along Highway 599 | New rest area. The new site will include washrooms and seasonal parking areas. | 2022 | Completed |
| Klotz Lake rest area along Highway 11 | Expanding existing rest area to increase parking capacity for commercial vehicles. | 2022 | Completed |
| 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 | Design phase |
| Turtle Lake rest area along Highway 622 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2023 | Design phase |
| Rest area at Highway 11 and 64 | A new rest area/pull-off area at Highway 11 and Highway 64. | 2023 | Design phase |
| 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 | Design phase |
| Aramis rest area along Highway 11 | Increasing truck parking and improvements to make it an all-season rest area. | 2024 | Design phase |
| Wild Goose Park rest area along Highway 11 | Increasing truck parking at the existing rest area. | 2024 | Design phase |
| Rest area near Cochrane at Highway 11/655 | A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 655. | 2025 | Design phase |
| Rest area north of Savant Lake Highway 599 | A new outdoor rest area. The new site will include washrooms and parking areas. | 2025 | Design phase |
| Rest area at Highway 11 and 631 | A new year-round facility at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 631. | 2025 | Design phase |
