Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation - Screen Capture via Government of Ontario Announcements YouTube
A new truck inspection station has been opened on Highway 11/17 outside of Thunder Bay in Shuniah.
The $30 million facility is part of the provincial government’s plan to improve northern Ontario’s road safety and transit infrastructure.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is working to ensure Ontario’s highways are among the safest in North America,” said Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “The new Shuniah commercial vehicle inspection station will help reduce the risk of accidents, protect everyone on the road and ensure the safe movement of goods across Northern Ontario.”
Commercial motor vehicles travelling on Ontario highways are subject to mandatory roadside safety inspections. The new inspection station in Shuniah will be equipped with technology to identify potential problems with commercial motor vehicles, such as underinflated tires and malfunctioning brakes.
“This inspection station will play a critical role in addressing road safety in our community,” said MPP for Thunder Bay—Atikokan Kevin Holland. “Our government is investing in northern transportation with infrastructure projects that will make a real difference to families and businesses.”
Ontario currently has 34 inspection stations across the province with trained enforcement officers that inspect the condition of commercial vehicles and monitor the behaviour and qualifications of drivers.
In 2023, the government increased its enforcement presence on Highways 11, 17, 144, and 101, with officers conducting over 4,000 inspections and laying 3,200 charges, including 700 for speeding. More than 1,000 vehicles were placed out of service.
“The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has been a long-time advocate for highway safety. The investment of $30 million to open a new commercial vehicle inspection station near Thunder Bay is a welcomed and necessary step to address highway safety concerns and accidents on Highway 11/17,” explained the President, of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and Mayor of the Municipality of Shuniah Wendy Landry. “It will ensure vehicles are inspected to guarantee their safety and slow drivers down to take a rest while their vehicle is being examined.”
Expanding commercial vehicle inspection facilities is among the more than 60 actions identified in the government’s Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario.
The plan aims to ensure people and goods move safely, improve travel options for people in remote communities, and support economic growth in the north.
