Kenora By-Pass | ||||
Route information | ||||
Auxiliary route of Highway 17 | ||||
Maintained by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario | ||||
Length | 33.3 km [1] (20.7 mi) | |||
Existed | November 16, 1990 [2]–present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
Beltway around Kenora | ||||
West end | Highway 17 west near Keewatin | |||
Highway 596 near
Keewatin Highway 658 near Jaffray–Melick Highway 671 | ||||
East end | Highway 17 east near Kenora | |||
Location | ||||
Country | Canada | |||
Province | Ontario | |||
Counties | Kenora District | |||
Major cities | Kenora, Kenora Airport | |||
Highway system | ||||
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King's Highway 17A, commonly referred to as Highway 17A or as the Kenora By-Pass, is an alternate route of Highway 17 around the city of Kenora, in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was built along a former Canadian Pacific Railway right-of-way, and has two westbound passing lanes in separate parts, and one eastbound passing lane.
Although it is not an official part of the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 17A is designated as the through route when travelling into Kenora on the Trans-Canada. [3] [4] The road also provides access to Kenora Airport, but otherwise avoids the built-up areas of the city. [5] The highway passes through a heavily forested area dominated by large granite rock outcroppings, geography typical of the Canadian Shield. [6] On an average day approximately 3,200–5,200 vehicles travel along the road, varying by season. [1]
Construction of Highway 17A began in 1981 in response to traffic congestion within the city of Kenora, which created a severe bottleneck for cross-national traffic. The bypass opened in stages as it was constructed from west to east. [7] The first 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi), from Highway 17 to Highway 596 opened in September 1983. Following this, contracts were tendered for construction of the Winnipeg River bridge. [8] The section between Highway 596 and Highway 658 opened several years later in the autumn of 1988. [7] The final section, linking Highway 658 with Highway 17, was opened on November 16, 1990, at which point the Kenora Bypass was designated Highway 17A. [2]
The following table lists the major junctions along Highway 17A, as noted by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. [9] The entire route is located in Kenora District. [5]
Location | km [9] | mi | Destinations | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unorganized Kenora | 0.0 | 0.0 | Highway 17 / TCH – Kenora, Winnipeg | Through traffic follows Highway 17 west | |
7.0 | 4.3 |
Highway 596 north –
Minaki Darlington Drive | |||
Kenora | 12.5 | 7.8 |
Winnipeg River Bridge | ||
14.8 | 9.2 | Highway 658 north (Redditt Road) – Redditt | |||
21.0 | 13.0 | East Melick Road | Formerly Highway 659 north | ||
25.3 | 15.7 | Highway 671 north (Jones Road) – Jones | |||
Unorganized Kenora | 33.3 | 20.7 | Highway 17 / TCH – Kenora, Thunder Bay | Through traffic follows Highway 17 east | |
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |