Northern Ontario highways are under renewed scrutiny. New data reveals the most dangerous roads in winter. And transit agencies are exploring new ways to fund infrastructure. Welcome to the Good Roads Podcast, where we break down the most important municipal infrastructure, transportation, and road safety stories — fast, focused, and built for Ontario municipalities.
This week’s episode explores three critical issues impacting national connectivity, road safety, and the future of public transit funding:
Organizations across Northern Ontario are calling on the federal government to designate Highways 11 and 17 as critical national infrastructure. These routes form a vital link in the Trans-Canada corridor, yet closures and safety concerns persist. With hundreds of hours of winter disruptions and significantly higher fatality risks compared to southern Ontario, the push is on to unlock federal funding and improve reliability and safety.
New data is shedding light on where winter driving risks are highest. Telematics analysis has identified some surprising road segments, while insurance data highlights cities with the highest rates of driver collisions. Together, the findings paint a complex picture of road safety — one shaped by infrastructure, weather, and driver behaviour.
With mounting maintenance backlogs and delayed electrification plans, transit agencies are under pressure to find new funding solutions. One model gaining attention is Hong Kong’s approach, where transit systems generate revenue through integrated housing and development. Could similar strategies help fund transit infrastructure while addressing housing shortages in Ontario?