Wednesday, February 5, 2025 – In the summer of 2025, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will begin installing three temporary traffic lights at three intersections along Highway 17 within Nipissing First Nation (NFN): Jocko Point Road, Nova Beaucage/Osprey Miikan, and Couchie Industrial Road.
NFN has engaged in multiple productive discussions with the MTO to enhance road safety at these key intersections along Highway 17 within NFN following community feedback and a concerning number of vehicle collisions on the highway.
These temporary traffic lights will serve as an interim solution while permanent traffic signals are designed and constructed at these locations. Currently, MTO is not looking at changes to the roadway geometry (such as altering the number of lanes) until the permanent designs are completed.
This work will be separated into two projects that will likely proceed with slightly different timelines: one for the Nova Beaucage Road/Osprey Miikan intersection and the Couchie Industrial Road intersection; and one for the Jocko Point intersection.
The Jocko Point intersection project will allow for extra time for the MTO to consult with the Ottawa Valley Railway, who maintains the rail tracks near the intersection.
While awaiting the installation of these traffic lights, NFN urges community members to remain vigilant and exercise caution while traveling on Highway 17, particularly at these high-risk intersections.
