Denault said the sheer scale of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke is just one of the reasons why collaboration is so critical for success | Mik Horvath/MBC
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault was one of many local representatives attending this year’s Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Toronto.
Denault not only sat in delegations as a representative for the Ottawa Valley, but he also sat on the other side of the table as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism.
He said he was involved in many delegations about local infrastructure development, particularly in the conversations surrounding the Hwy. 417 expansion.
While some details have yet to be spared, myFM did learn some hard facts about the expansion.
Firstly, Town of Renfrew Reeve, Peter Emon, in delegations with Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation, Ric Bresee, confirmed construction would begin some time in 2028.
Second, Emon informed myFM that meetings taking place in Renfrew will be organized to discuss logistics and contracting.
Denault said the commitment to this project is a long-awaited victory for the people within the riding.
The planned expansion would widen the portion of the Trans-Canada Highway from Arnprior until the Bruce St. intersection in Renfrew.
While the highway goes right through Arnprior and right by Renfrew as well, Denault said all the communities in-between and beyond will feel its impact.
This has other municipalities such as McNab/Braeside and Horton in the highway discussion too.
The teamwork reminds Denault of his time as a council member; Peter Emon invited the, at the time, Arnprior Councilor Denault to a delegation for the Town of Renfrew to see how things are handled next door.
While the conference has closed, Denault said the ROMA delegations are still ongoing, so more details about the highway expansion have yet to come.
(Written by Mik Horvath)