Background
Highway 61 is a major north-south link in the City of Thunder Bay transportation network and carries a mix of local, regional and long-distance traffic. The impacts upon highway safety and operations due to an increase in the existing and future traffic demands have necessitated a review of interim and ultimate highway improvements to accommodate growth. The study will consider two distinct corridor sections:
- Part A: Chippewa Road to 0.5 km south of Arthur Street
- Part B: 0.5 km south of Loch Lomond Road to Chippewa Road
The existing Highway 61 corridor carries an average annual daily traffic (AADT) volume ranging from approximately 9,000 vehicles/day south of Loch Lomond Road to 24,000 vehicles/day at Arthur Street. It represents the primary access to an international crossing and provides access to a wide range of competing land uses including: industrial, commercial, institutional and residential developments.