Ontario Highway 61
Encyclopedia
King's Highway 61, commonly referred to as Highway 61 and historically known as the Scott Highway, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian
province of Ontario
. It connects the Pigeon River Bridge, where it crosses into the United States
and becomes Minnesota State Highway 61
, with a junction at Highway 11, Highway 17 and the Harbour Expressway
in Thunder Bay
. The highway forms a part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour.
Highway 61 was added to the highway system on April 1, 1937 with the amalgamation of the Department of Northern Development into the Department of Highways. Prior to that it was known as the Scott Highway. The bridge over the Pigeon River was originally known as The Outlaw, as it was constructed without formal approval of the Canadian or American governments.
and curves to the north. Passing its former route at Highway 593, the highway curves east to avoid mountains.
It zig-zags around a range of mountains, eventually turning northward and passing to the west of Cloud Bay. The highway continues north for 20 kilometre through Neebing
, pressed between mountain ranges on either side. It rises at Moose Hill, meets Highway 608 and enters one of the few agricultural areas in northwestern Ontario. Shortly thereafter, Highway 61 curves to the east, passing the southern terminus of Highway 130 along the way. It then enters the outskirts of Thunder Bay.
The highway passes Chippewa Road, its former route through Thunder Bay, and returns to its northward orientation. It officially enters the city as it crosses the Kaministiquia River
. Continuing north, the highway swerves east at Thunder Bay International Airport
and crosses Arthur Street. North of Arthur Street, the highway is also known as the Thunder Bay Expressway
. It continues north for 3 km (1.9 mi) and ends at the Harbour Expressway
and Trans-Canada Highway
.
The northernmost section in Thunder Bay is a four-lane, undivided expressway
. The remainder of Highway 61 is a conventional two-lane highway.
Traffic volumes along the southern portion of the highway are generally low, with an Annual Average Daily Traffic
(AADT) of 1,000 vehicles. This increases progressing north; within Thunder Bay the AADT peaks at 17,200 vehicles.
Highway 61 also forms a small portion of the Lake Superior Circle Tour, a tourist route of highways following the shoreline of Lake Superior. To the south, the tour continues along Minnesota State Highway 61; to the north it continues along Highway 17 towards Sault Saint Marie.
and Fort William
, but no road existed to connect to locations outside. A narrow bush trail reached as far as the Pigeon River, and so was chosen as the route for the new road. The Department of Mines and Resources agreed to fund the project, and citizens proceeded to lay a new road as far as the river. This road was initially known as the "Scott Highway" after lumberman William Scott
.
On the opposite shore, the Cook County
and Minnesota State authorities constructed a new road north from Grand Marais
. The roads were completed, but no bridge existed to connect them.
In response, the Rotary Clubs of Port Arthur and Duluth met to discuss a solution. As an international crossing, any bridge over the river would require federal approval. Both sides agreed that the approval process would be too slow, and decided to construct the bridge regardless. "The Outlaw" bridge was opened on August 18, 1917, finally permitting travel between Ontario and Minnesota.
The bridge and the Canadian road approaching it fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Highways (now the Ministry of Transportation) on April 1, 1937, and the Scott Highway became Highway 61. The Outlaw was rebuilt as a steel truss structure in 1930 following several accidents.
By 1962, construction was underway to bypass the inland route of the highway as well as the bridge. This bypass opened on November 1, 1963,
the American approach rebuilt along the shore of Lake Superior, and a new bridge constructed over the river 10 km (6.2 mi) to the east. Highway 61 was realigned as a result; the former route was redesignated as Ontario Highway 593 on September 1, 1964.
In 1963, Charles MacNaughton, minister of the Department of Highways, announced plans for the Lakehead Expressway to be built on the western edge of the twin cities of Port Arthur and Fort Williams (which amalgamated in 1970 to form Thunder Bay).
Construction began in the late 1960s and progressed rapidly.
Following its completion, Highway 61 was rerouted along it as far north as Arthur Street. The former route followed Chippewa Road, turned north on James Street and then east on Frederica Street. From there, it turned north along Ford Street and followed it and Kingsway to Highway 11 and Highway 17 at Arthur Street. This route was renumbered as Highway 61B.
Beginning in 1991, Highway 61 was completely reconstructed south of Thunder Bay to the border in preparation for the 1995 World Nordic Ski Championships. This involved replacing eight bridges, improving sightlines, the addition of five passing lanes and paved shoulders throughout the length of the highway.
Recent years have seen Highway 61 improved considerably within Thunder Bay. The highway was extended 3 km (1.9 mi) to the north on August 17, 2007 when the Shabaqua Highway opened, redirecting Highway 11 and Highway 17 off Arthur Street.
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It connects the Pigeon River Bridge, where it crosses into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and becomes Minnesota State Highway 61
Minnesota State Highway 61
Minnesota State Highway 61 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from the junction of Interstate Highway 35 and Minnesota 61 in Duluth and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the U.S.-Canadian border near Grand Portage...
, with a junction at Highway 11, Highway 17 and the Harbour Expressway
Harbour Expressway
The Harbour Expressway is a four lane highway with signalized intersections running the Intercity business district of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada....
in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
. The highway forms a part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour.
Highway 61 was added to the highway system on April 1, 1937 with the amalgamation of the Department of Northern Development into the Department of Highways. Prior to that it was known as the Scott Highway. The bridge over the Pigeon River was originally known as The Outlaw, as it was constructed without formal approval of the Canadian or American governments.
Route description
Highway 61 begins at the international border between Ontario and Minnesota, the Pigeon River; it continues as State Highway 61 to Duluth on the American side. It passes customsCustoms
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
and curves to the north. Passing its former route at Highway 593, the highway curves east to avoid mountains.
It zig-zags around a range of mountains, eventually turning northward and passing to the west of Cloud Bay. The highway continues north for 20 kilometre through Neebing
Neebing, Ontario
Neebing is a municipality in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Thunder Bay District immediately south of the city of Thunder Bay. It is part of Thunder Bay's Census Metropolitan Area.-History:...
, pressed between mountain ranges on either side. It rises at Moose Hill, meets Highway 608 and enters one of the few agricultural areas in northwestern Ontario. Shortly thereafter, Highway 61 curves to the east, passing the southern terminus of Highway 130 along the way. It then enters the outskirts of Thunder Bay.
The highway passes Chippewa Road, its former route through Thunder Bay, and returns to its northward orientation. It officially enters the city as it crosses the Kaministiquia River
Kaministiquia River
The Kaministiquia River is a river which empties into western Lake Superior at the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Kaministiquia is an Ojibwe word meaning " with islands" due to two large islands at the mouth of the river...
. Continuing north, the highway swerves east at Thunder Bay International Airport
Thunder Bay International Airport
Thunder Bay Airport or Thunder Bay International Airport, , is an airport in the Canadian city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. With 80,591 aircraft movements in 2010 it was the 7th busiest airport in Ontario and the 24th busiest airport in Canada...
and crosses Arthur Street. North of Arthur Street, the highway is also known as the Thunder Bay Expressway
Thunder Bay Expressway
The Thunder Bay Expressway is a four lane highway with signalized intersections running on the western edge of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.- Route description :...
. It continues north for 3 km (1.9 mi) and ends at the Harbour Expressway
Harbour Expressway
The Harbour Expressway is a four lane highway with signalized intersections running the Intercity business district of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada....
and Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
.
The northernmost section in Thunder Bay is a four-lane, undivided expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
. The remainder of Highway 61 is a conventional two-lane highway.
Traffic volumes along the southern portion of the highway are generally low, with an Annual Average Daily Traffic
Annual average daily traffic
Average Annual daily traffic, abbreviated AADT, is a measure used primarily in transportation planning and transportation engineering. It is the total volume of vehicle traffic of a highway or road for a year divided by 365 days. AADT is a useful and simple measurement of how busy the road is...
(AADT) of 1,000 vehicles. This increases progressing north; within Thunder Bay the AADT peaks at 17,200 vehicles.
Highway 61 also forms a small portion of the Lake Superior Circle Tour, a tourist route of highways following the shoreline of Lake Superior. To the south, the tour continues along Minnesota State Highway 61; to the north it continues along Highway 17 towards Sault Saint Marie.
History
The road that would become Highway 61 was first constructed in 1916. The Pigeon River Timber Company had cleared lands surrounding the towns of Port ArthurPort Arthur, Ontario
Port Arthur was a city in Northern Ontario which amalgamated with Fort William and the townships of Neebing and McIntyre to form the city of Thunder Bay in January 1970. Port Arthur was the district seat of Thunder Bay District.- History :...
and Fort William
Fort William, Ontario
Fort William was a city in Northern Ontario, located on the Kaministiquia River, at its entrance to Lake Superior. It amalgamated with Port Arthur and the townships of Neebing and McIntyre to form the city of Thunder Bay in January 1970. Ever since then it has been the largest city in Northwestern...
, but no road existed to connect to locations outside. A narrow bush trail reached as far as the Pigeon River, and so was chosen as the route for the new road. The Department of Mines and Resources agreed to fund the project, and citizens proceeded to lay a new road as far as the river. This road was initially known as the "Scott Highway" after lumberman William Scott
William Scott
William Scott may refer to:* William Scott , MP for Kent * William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell , English judge and jurist* William Scott , American silent film actor...
.
On the opposite shore, the Cook County
Cook County, Minnesota
Northern Minnesota offers extreme winter weather. While the averages are low, the extremes provide more details. A third of the year is below freezing . Of those days, 21 are below zero degrees Fahrenheit .-External links:...
and Minnesota State authorities constructed a new road north from Grand Marais
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Grand Marais is a city in Cook County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,351 at the 2010 census. It is also the county seat of Cook County...
. The roads were completed, but no bridge existed to connect them.
In response, the Rotary Clubs of Port Arthur and Duluth met to discuss a solution. As an international crossing, any bridge over the river would require federal approval. Both sides agreed that the approval process would be too slow, and decided to construct the bridge regardless. "The Outlaw" bridge was opened on August 18, 1917, finally permitting travel between Ontario and Minnesota.
The bridge and the Canadian road approaching it fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Highways (now the Ministry of Transportation) on April 1, 1937, and the Scott Highway became Highway 61. The Outlaw was rebuilt as a steel truss structure in 1930 following several accidents.
By 1962, construction was underway to bypass the inland route of the highway as well as the bridge. This bypass opened on November 1, 1963,
the American approach rebuilt along the shore of Lake Superior, and a new bridge constructed over the river 10 km (6.2 mi) to the east. Highway 61 was realigned as a result; the former route was redesignated as Ontario Highway 593 on September 1, 1964.
In 1963, Charles MacNaughton, minister of the Department of Highways, announced plans for the Lakehead Expressway to be built on the western edge of the twin cities of Port Arthur and Fort Williams (which amalgamated in 1970 to form Thunder Bay).
Construction began in the late 1960s and progressed rapidly.
Following its completion, Highway 61 was rerouted along it as far north as Arthur Street. The former route followed Chippewa Road, turned north on James Street and then east on Frederica Street. From there, it turned north along Ford Street and followed it and Kingsway to Highway 11 and Highway 17 at Arthur Street. This route was renumbered as Highway 61B.
Beginning in 1991, Highway 61 was completely reconstructed south of Thunder Bay to the border in preparation for the 1995 World Nordic Ski Championships. This involved replacing eight bridges, improving sightlines, the addition of five passing lanes and paved shoulders throughout the length of the highway.
Recent years have seen Highway 61 improved considerably within Thunder Bay. The highway was extended 3 km (1.9 mi) to the north on August 17, 2007 when the Shabaqua Highway opened, redirecting Highway 11 and Highway 17 off Arthur Street.
Major intersections
The following table lists the major junctions along Highway 61. In addition, it includes some minor junctions that are noted by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. The entirety of Highway 61 is located within Thunder Bay DistrictThunder Bay District
Thunder Bay District is a district and census division in Northwestern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. The district seat is Thunder Bay....
.
| Location | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigeon River Bridge over the Pigeon River continues into Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... as State Highway 61 Minnesota State Highway 61 Minnesota State Highway 61 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from the junction of Interstate Highway 35 and Minnesota 61 in Duluth and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the U.S.-Canadian border near Grand Portage...  |
|||
| Neebing, Ontario Neebing, Ontario Neebing is a municipality in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Thunder Bay District immediately south of the city of Thunder Bay. It is part of Thunder Bay's Census Metropolitan Area.-History:... |
3.1 | ||
| 35.3 | |||
| 40.0 | |||
| 46.5 | Little Norway Road | ||
| Thunder Bay Thunder Bay -In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario... |
|||
| 52.8 | Chippewa Road | ||
| 54.5 | Broadway Avenue | ||
| 56.9 | Neebing Avenue Princess Street |
||
| 58.0 | Arthur Street | Former routing for Highways 11 and 17 | |
| 61.1 | Harbour Expressway Harbour Expressway The Harbour Expressway is a four lane highway with signalized intersections running the Intercity business district of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.... |
Highway 61 ends; road continues as Highways 11 and 17 | |
See also
- Highway 61Highway 61 (film)Highway 61 is a 1991 film by Canadian director Bruce McDonald.- Synopsis :The film stars Don McKellar as Pokey Jones, an orphaned barber in a small town near Thunder Bay, Ontario who dreams of becoming a jazz musician...
, a 1991 film by Canadian director Bruce McDonald.