SNC-Lavalin and Anishinabek Nation-owned construction company in deal to widen Ontario’s Highway 69

Image: Andre Carrotflower via Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA-4.0

Project management company SNC-Lavalin and Anishinabek Nation-owned construction company Shwe Miikan have signed a deal to work together on expanding Highway 69 in Ontario.

The work will involve expanding the road to four lanes between Sudbury and Parry Sound, located in Robinson Huron Treaty territory.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is undertaking a 152 km capacity expansion initiative along Highway 69 from Sudbury to Parry Sound.

Around 68 km of the highway expansion remains to be completed at an estimated cost of CAN$500 million (US$372.9 million).

In addition to doubling the highway from two lanes to four, the project includes construction of water crossings, culvert replacements, wildlife passages, work to maintain snowmobile trails and crossings, and construction of new interchanges plus service roads.

SNC-Lavalin said the expansion work would improve traffic flow and safety, and support economic growth and prosperity in Northern Ontario.

Under the deal, SNC-Lavalin will provide project management, engineering, design, and environmental services. Shwe Miikaan will provide its expertise in construction and community engagement along the corridor of work on Highway 69.

Ben Almond, CEO, Engineering Services Canada, SNC-Lavalin, said, “These kinds of co-operative delivery models reflect the way we’ll work on many future infrastructure projects at SNC-Lavalin in Canada.

“Governments want to see greater benefits flow to Indigenous communities throughout the value chain in projects that pass through their territories. We’ve committed as a company to working in deeper and more meaningful ways with Indigenous partners. That means bringing Indigenous expertise, especially via Indigenous-owned companies, into our supply chain. As SNC-Lavalin enters into more and more co-operative agreements such as this, I’m as confident as ever that we are well on our way to establishing a leadership position in Canada for Indigenous engagement in engineering.”

Shwe Miikaan is owned by three communities in Robinson Huron Treaty territory: Henvey Inlet, Magnetewan and Shawanaga First Nations. Shwe Miikaan also have a limited partnership with Miller Paving, (Shwe Miikaan Miller 2020) and a limited partnership with Ketegaunseebee Limited Partnership, (Garden River First Nation) KSMM.

Adam Good, president, Shwe Miikaan said, “We are confident that this collaborative effort will not only deliver tangible benefits to our Indigenous communities, but will also set the standard for future infrastructure projects across Canada.”