Batchawana Bay rest area to get $6 million in trucker-friendly upgrades

The Ontario government announced plans to spend millions on rest area upgrades to “provide truck drivers with a comfortable stop.”

On August 13, officials announced plans to spend more than $6 million to upgrade the Batchawana Bay rest area on Highway 17 north of Sault Ste. Marie.

The rest area “will provide truck drivers with a comfortable stop in the middle of a 220-kilometre stretch of Highway 17 that currently has no designated facilities for truckers,” government officials stated.

Planned upgraded amenities include:

• Newly constructed entrance and exit lanes
• Year-round access to heated washrooms
• Separate parking area with nine spaces for commercial vehicles
• Free Wi-Fi
• Personal device charging stations
• TV with information displays
• Picnic tables
• Foot wash station
• Pet exercise area
• Public seating area

“Ontario’s truckers are crucial to our economy, keeping our shelves stocked and moving $3 billion worth of goods on our highways every day,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “No matter where they’re travelling, these men and women should have confidence in safe and reliable rest stops.”

“The improvements to the Batchawana Bay rest area are welcome news for all who travel Highway 17 north. These improvements will create greater safety on the highway through all seasons,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “Our government will continue to invest in upgrading our highway system across northern Ontario, making travel easier and safer for all drivers.”

In addition to the Batchawana Bay rest area upgrades, the Ontario government is upgrading 14 existing rest areas, building 10 new rest areas and adding 165 additional truck parking spaces at four existing ONroute locations as part of a 5 year plan.

The post Batchawana Bay rest area to get $6 million in trucker-friendly upgrades appeared first on CDLLife .