Drivers facing ‘too many white-knuckle moments’ on Highway 69. When will the highway be completed?
An expansion of 20 kilometres of Highway 69 south of French River is set to begin in 2027 or 2028 Although four-laning 152 kilometres was announced in 1991, a 68-kilometre gap between Parry Sound and Sudbury remains a two-lane highway.
Will Highway 69 be completed soon? Here is what we know.
Work to turn Highway 69 into Highway 400 is moving ahead but no completion date is set. Although four-laning 152 kilometres was announced in 1991, a 68-kilometre section between. Parry Sound and Sudbury remains a two-lane highway. “The fact that we still have a significant portion of the highway incomplete by now is frustrating. It is tough to hear about all the constant accidents out there,” said Jim Marshall, a Parry Sound realtor, who regularly drives through the highway. This 68-km section passes through the first nation communities of Shawanaga, Magnetawan, and Henvey Inlet. Today, Shawanaga First Nation is “working with the ministry to finalize an agreement on this project,” said Shawanaga First Nation Chief, Adam Pawis, and work is scheduled on a separate section south of the French River. “Shawanaga First Nation has reached an agreement in principle with the province to see the highway expansion to its completion. Our technical teams are working together to this end,”wrote Pawis in an email to the North Star. Pawis adds that the government has been open to dialogue in a “productive and constructive manner.” Recently, a notice of study commencement was issued for further work on a 20-kilometresection south of French River. The expansion is projected to cost between $250 to $500 million and to start by 2027 or 2028, according to Ontario’s highways program website. Marshall says drivers today still face hills, curves, tractor-trailers, passing lanes, and “far too many white-knuckle moments” when driving on Highway 69 north of Nobel. “The highway is awful. I have to drive the highway because of my job, but I personally avoid it,”said Marshall. On Aug. 12, 2025, the Town of Parry Sound passed a resolution — supported by West Parry Sound municipalities — requesting the province to complete the four-laning of the remaining section “as soon as possible.”
When would the highway be completed?
The province is providing $30 billion to build, repair, and expand highways, including the Highway69, according to the Ministry of Transportation. After the expansion south of French River, three other sections of Highway 69 north of Highway559 remain to be completed, according to the highways program website.
One section is 12 kilometres north of Highway 559, the second is 11 kilometres north of Highway 7182 (Shebeshegong Road), and the third one is 15 kilometres from the South Junction of Highway 529. Completing each section is projected to cost between $100 to $250 million, and none of them has a start date. Construction to expand the remaining sections will begin “once all necessary approvals and duty to consult obligations have been met,” according to the ministry. While a precise completion date is yet to be set (at one time the completion date was 2017),Marshall said the expansion of Highway 69 “should have been done 15 years ago,” adding that it would save many lives and bring economic growth for the region. “I hope to hear an announcement from the government soon, saying they are allocating money to get this project done by at least 2032. That’s what people are looking for, I think,” said Marshall.
By Julian Orlando Chaves Parry Sound North Star
Jan 7, 2026