Road and bridge improvements completed in Kenora

The Canada Community-Building Fund helped Kenora complete two major infrastructure projects in 2021. The municipality overhauled a stretch of Highway 17 and rehabilitated a local bridge. 

A 2020 biennial inspection of the Beggs Arch Culvert completed during low water conditions revealed severe erosion of the concrete footings that had gone unnoticed in previous inspections. This bridge, located on Beggs Road, provides two alternate travel routes for drivers in the city. It was a priority to ensure that the bridge stayed in good working condition. Work included rehabilitation of the concrete footings, resulting in a safer overall structure.

The City also rehabilitated 1.46 lane-km of Highway 17 East. An arterial route through the city, Highway 17 accommodates significant truck traffic and services one of Kenora’s commercial districts. An inspection in 2020 found this section of Highway 17 to be in poor condition, with a pavement condition index of 32 out of 100.

To bring this section of Highway 17 up to standard, the old asphalt was stripped away, replaced with new gravel, and repaved. Sidewalks were also improved for accessibility. This project rehabilitated one of the more important roads within the City, and it's expected that minimum maintenance will be required for the foreseeable future.