Ontario Highway 17A
King's Highway 17A, commonly referred to as Highway 17A or as the Kenora By-Pass, is an alternate route of Highway 17 around the city of Kenora, in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was built along a former Canadian Pacific Railway right-of-way, and has two westbound passing lanes in separate parts, and one eastbound passing lane.
Kenora By-Pass | ||||
Route information | ||||
Auxiliary route of Highway 17 | ||||
Maintained by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario | ||||
Length | 33.5 km[1] (20.8 mi) | |||
Existed | 1990–present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
Beltway around Kenora | ||||
West end | ||||
East end | ||||
Location | ||||
Counties | Kenora District | |||
Major cities | Kenora, Kenora Airport | |||
Highway system | ||||
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Route description
Although it is not an official part of the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 17A is designated as the through route when travelling into Kenora on the Trans-Canada. The road also provides access to Kenora Airport, but otherwise avoids the built up areas of the city.[2] The highway passes through a heavily forested area dominated by large granite rock outcroppings, geography typical of the Canadian Shield.[3] On an average day approximately 3,200–5,200 vehicles travel along the road, varying by season.[1]
History
Construction of Highway 17A began in 1981 in response to traffic congestion within the city of Kenora, which created a severe bottleneck for cross-national traffic. The bypass opened in stages as it was constructed from west to east.[4] The first 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi), from Highway 17 to Highway 596 opened in September 1983. Following this, contracts were tendered for construction of the Winnipeg River bridge.[5] The section between Highway 596 and Highway 658 opened several years later in the autumn of 1988.[4] The final section, linking Highway 658 with Highway 17, was opened in 1991.[6]
Major intersections
The following table lists the major junctions along Highway 17A, as noted by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.[7] The entire route is located in Kenora District.[2]
Location | km[7] | mi | Destinations | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kenora | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||
1.2 | 0.75 | CPR overpass | |||
7.1 | 4.4 | ||||
12.6 | 7.8 | Winnipeg River Bridge | |||
14.9 | 9.3 | ||||
21.1 | 13.1 | East Melick Road | Formerly Highway 659 | ||
25.5 | 15.8 | ||||
33.5 | 20.8 | ||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
References
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (2007). "Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) counts". Government of Ontario. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- Mapart (2010). Ontario Back Road Atlas (Map). Peter Heiler Ltd. p. 106. § G3. ISBN 978-1-55198-226-7.
- "Farming on the Canadian Shield". Lake of the Woods Museum. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
- Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (May 1989). Northern Transportation Construction Projects 1989–90 (Report). Transportation Capital Branch, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. p. 6. ISSN 0822-1480.
- Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (April 1988). Northern Transportation Construction Projects 1988–89 (Report). Transportation Capital Branch, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. p. VII. ISSN 0822-1480.
- Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (May 1991). Northern Transportation Construction Projects 1991–92 (Report). Transportation Capital Branch, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. p. 6. ISSN 0822-1480.
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (2008). "Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) counts". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2012.