CONNECTING THE NORTH: A…

CONNECTING THE NORTH:
A DRAFT TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR NORTHERN ONTARIO
ENVIRONMENTAL REGISTRY SUBMISSION 019-2830

Submitted by:
The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Hornepayne

“Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario” states that the North is unique and, as such, has unique transportation needs. This truth must be kept front of mind when considering all the Action Items outlined in the draft and, in particular, their relationship to the community of Hornepayne.

The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Hornepayne is pleased to see a plan for the North and wishes to ensure, above all else, that Hornepayne is included in the plans and appears on the maps included therein. Currently this is not the case. The Draft identifies both Hearst and White River and, although it identifies Highway 631 connecting Highways 11 and 17, it fails to identify the location of Hornepayne. Being the central location that Hornepayne is, this needs to change.

Hornepayne has recently been identified as the Geographic Centre of Ontario. The Township intends to market this as a tourism attraction once developed. This, combined with Council’s plans to rebuild the Community, attracting economic development and becoming a model community of the north, means Hornepayne must not be left out. It’s presence as a main stop for the cross-country VIA passenger train “The Canadian” and also a main change-off point on the CN Rail mainline is important. It will also play an important part of the transportation route to be used by the Ring of Fire project. Being on the edge of three provincial Districts – Algoma, Cochrane and Thunder Bay, Council envisions Hornepayne as the connector of all northern communities and wishes to transform our Community into a central hub for the North.

Six Goals to Support the Transportation Vision:

Goal 1: Getting People Moving and Connecting Communities

• Highway and Road Improvements – (Action Items 1-3)
 Highway widening projects in North Eastern and North Western Ontario are a must to keep products and people moving efficiently

• Improvement to Passenger Transportation Services – (Action Items 10, 11)
 Increase and improve intercommunity bus and rail services to underserved and unserved communities by reinstating Ontario Northland Service, even if through a public/private partnership to connect Hornepayne to the provincial travel routes and also to provide service to and from nearby communities for day trips, i.e. to Hearst to provide residents with an affordable means of attending medical, dentist, chiropractic, eye and other appointments. Daily service of the full sized ONTC bus did not prove financially feasible in the short time that the service was offered but people are hesitant to commit if they feel the service will be taken away. A daily shuttle-type service may be the more reasonable option, or even three days/week. This service should be seamless i.e. residents would purchase tickets from starting place to final destination and not have to deal with various companies/outlets. ONTC to oversee.

 Keep and increase Via Rail passenger service through Hornepayne – many depend on this service for getting to work, travel to appointments, to post-secondary education. It also brings tourists to our town, exposing them to our jewel of a community and will be needed more and more as the Centre of Ontario trail is developed and as our community grows. Council asks that ensuring VIA rail service through our community is identified as one of the Action Items in the Northern Transportation Plan by further defining Action Item 10.

 Hornepayne Municipal Airport – there is hope that in the future, as Hornepayne is transformed into a regional hub, that we will be able to offer passenger air service, something not seen in Hornepayne since the NorOntair Service was discontinued in the 1980’s.

Goal 2: Enabling Economic Opportunities

• Cutting Red Tape and Reducing Burden – (Action Item 21)
 In order to ensure the implementation of digital solutions works for truckers and other in the north, broadband and cellular gaps will have to be addressed and capacity will have to be increased. There are vast regions that currently have no service of any type – this will complicate industry if workers are expected to complete reporting, planning, dispatching, etc. digitally

Goal 3: Keeping People Safe and Providing Reliable Transportation Operations

• Continue Efforts to Improve Winter Maintenance on Northern Highways
 Ensure installation of Road Weather Information system (mini station) on Hwys 631 North and South – our highways are remote – breaking down or going off the highway during winter weather can be deadly – more accurate and locale specific weather predictions will provide drivers with useful knowledge prior to setting out. (Action Item 28)

 Installation of Road Weather Information systems on Highway 11 and 17 (Action Item 28)

 Maintaining/improving the current road systems must remain a priority. Northern residents deserve the same level of road/highway maintenance as our Southern Ontario counterparts, both with regard to winter road conditions as well as summer maintenance of potholes, washouts, bridge repairs, etc. (Action Items 30, 31)

• Improve the Safety of Northern Ontario’s Road Network – (Action Item 32)
 Building more rest areas and washroom facilities throughout the North should be high on the priority list, particularly on Highway #’s 11, 17, 69, and of course Highways 631 North and South. Winter weather, combined with current truck driving regulations illustrate a need for rest areas for safety purposes. There is currently only one rest stop on Highways 631 North and South combined. Even if rest stops in this area are not as large and don’t have as many amenities as those on the busier routes, it is absolutely necessary that some be installed. Safety is paramount but it is also an amenity that may help attract drivers to the area.

• Support Northern Ontario’s Municipal Airports – (Action Item 40)
 Ensure funding programs for smaller airports remain available. Hornepayne Municipal Airport will be going through a $5 million upgrade thanks to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and there is hope that in the future, as Hornepayne is transformed into a regional hub, that we will be able to offer passenger air service, something not seen in Hornepayne since the NorOntair Service was discontinued in the 1980’s. Regardless, the runway and lighting system must be upgraded to handle the activity anticipated with economic development growth. With Hornepayne as central to Northern Ontario, it makes sense that Hornepayne Municipal Airport becomes a Regional Airport.

Goal 4: Preparing for the Future

• Improvements to Broadband and Cellular Services – (Action Item 41)
 As mentioned above there is a need for uninterrupted Cellular service on all sections of highways, including on Highways 631 North and South
 Need for Broadband/internet service even in between towns, especially for the trucking industry: Dispatch purposes; Electronic log books; Computers in trucks.
 Shortfalls will need to be addressed to meet this goal.

• Connected and Automated Vehicles – (Action Items 42-43)
 Ensure Hornepayne is included in the plan to create and increase infrastructure for the introduction of Connected/Automated Vehicles to help facilitate ways to connect us with jobs, goods and services.
 Consider Hornepayne a location for development and testing of the CV/AV technology.

• Electric and Hydrogen Vehicles – (Action Items 44-45)
 Increase infrastructure and funding programs as well as add additional locations for alternative fueling stations (including electric and hydrogen) in all Northern Ontario Communities remembering to include Hornepayne. Our “off the beaten path” location often leads to Hornepayne being excluded from things. This is something Hornepayne plans on pursuing so we must be included.

Goal 5: Maintaining a Sustainable Transportation System

• Diversified Trail Systems – (Action Item 52)
 Support and increase diversified trails
o Centre of Ontario Trail, Provincial
o Regional Snowmobile Trail systems to connect Northern Ontario communities

Goal 6: Reliable Travel Options for Remote and Far North Communities

• Remote Airports – (Action Items 57-58)
 Link municipal airports to large centres.
 Invest in municipal airports to ensure they remain in good operating condition.
 Consider a subsidized passenger air service to remote and municipal airports such as Hornepayne
 Continue to support operations, safety and security for northern airports as air service is vital to communities such as ours for Medevac, industry, employment, Hydro and forest fire monitoring and fighting..

• Winter Roads – (Action Items 59-62)
 Ensure expanded winter road inspection and maintenance
 Ensure 2 ploughs available at all times on Highways 631 N & S
 Ensure salt/chemical use on highway surfaces to help keep highways clear

• Ring of Fire Area – (Action Item 63)
 Hornepayne will be a participant in the transportation of product – need to ensure rail is included in plan and Hornepayne remains main stop on CN Rail mainline.

General Comments and Summary
 Hornepayne needs to be identified on all maps
 Geographical Centre of Ontario – establish trail, add onto maps
 Hornepayne to be included and appear in the plan
 Central location (between Highway 11 and 17) is vital to province – “Geographic Centre of Ontario” – Hornepayne could be a central hub for many services and businesses.

The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Hornepayne wishes to thank you for the opportunity to provide input on the Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario and for considering their views. Council is looking forward to working with the Ministry to ensure the best plan is created for the long-term welfare, growth and sustainability of the community.

Please add the Township to the mailing list to receive notices about the Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario. Notice can be sent to fort.hpayne@bellnet.ca and Jaremy.hpayne@bellnet.ca.

Many thanks.