THUNDER BAY — Members of the public will get an opportunity this week to learn more about what future improvements to Highway 61 might look like.
Although the changes are likely years away from implementation, transportation planners believe it's prudent to prepare for projected traffic growth south of the Arthur Street intersection, where daily volumes already approach 24,000 vehicles.
The Ministry of Transportation and consultants BT Engineering are holding an information centre Thursday evening to update planning and preliminary design studies for immediate, interim and long-term upgrades to the highway between Thunder Bay Airport and Loch Lomond Road.
Preferred options identified to date include a freeway design including barriers separating southbound and northbound traffic lanes, overpasses, and the elimination of traffic lights between the airport and just south of Chippewa Road.
In addition to other changes, planners have proposed a roundabout at Princess Street and Neebing Avenue near the airport, with Highway 61 going through an underpass beneath it.
To date there is no timeline for any of the work.
One ministry official noted earlier this year that improvements to the Thunder Bay Expressway, and completion of Highway 11/17 four-laning between the city and Nipigon, remain the priority road projects for the Thunder Bay area.
Thursday's meeting is the second of two public information centres, and will give stakeholders the chance to comment on how the various options have been evaluated, and on the technical recommendations.
It's scheduled for 6 p.m to 8 p.m at the South Neebing Community Centre on Mountain Road.
A presentation on the study will take place at 7 p.m.
Exhibits related to the project will also be made available online for the duration of the study.
