Four Lane Highway Proposed Across
La Vase Portages 19 December, 2011
Proposed O3 Route Details
Click on image to enlarge. Friends of La Vase Portages have requested priority be given to the routes O1 or O4 that would minimize the destruction of the historical portage route.
Maps an approximation only.
Maps an approximation only.
City Of North Bay Supports New Highway Across Historic Portage
As shown on the above map and highlighted in red, the City of North Bay recently voted in favour of the proposed "O-3 route" under consideration by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, that would see one of the final remaining trails of the historic La Vase Portages crossed by a new 4 lane highway.
Concerns have been raised that the route supported by the City of North Bay will carry substantial weight in the MTO considerations and the decision to support the route was made without any discussion with local conservation groups.
Friends of La Vase Portages have been involved in discussions over the last few years to see private property in the area finally be returned to La Vase Portages Conservation Area - meaning the historic trail would be returned to public ownership for the first time in over 100 years - only to see it lost to the new highway corridor.
Friends of La Vase are expected to forward a submission to the MTO before December 28, 2011 requesting protection of the heritage canoe route.
Concerns have been raised that the route supported by the City of North Bay will carry substantial weight in the MTO considerations and the decision to support the route was made without any discussion with local conservation groups.
Friends of La Vase Portages have been involved in discussions over the last few years to see private property in the area finally be returned to La Vase Portages Conservation Area - meaning the historic trail would be returned to public ownership for the first time in over 100 years - only to see it lost to the new highway corridor.
Friends of La Vase are expected to forward a submission to the MTO before December 28, 2011 requesting protection of the heritage canoe route.