Northwest Arterial Road

Notice of Addendum Process

In summer 2025, the City issued a Notice of Addendum seeking comments on the proposed changes as outlined in the Addendum report. The Addendum report was available for a 30-day review period from August 30 to September 29, 2025 in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process.

Click here to view the Addendum Report

The City of Thunder Bay is updating the environmental assessment for the planned Northwest Arterial roadway and sought public input to ensure the project meets current needs and priorities. This roadway aims to improve transportation connections and traffic operations in the northwest part of the city, while supporting future growth and development.

Project Description

The City of Thunder Bay is updating the environmental assessment for the planned Northwest Arterial (NWA) roadway.

This update is part of a process to review and confirm plans first created in 1989 and updated in 1992. The City wants to make sure the design, goals, and protections outlined in those earlier studies are still relevant and effective today.

The Northwest Arterial will improve transportation in the northwest part of Thunder Bay. The road will stretch about 3.76 km and will include four paved lanes, curbs, sidewalks, bike paths, and a bridge over the McIntyre River. It will connect Golf Links Road to Highway 102 and Wardrope Avenue, with a planned interchange at the Thunder Bay Expressway.

This project will create better connections for drivers and pedestrians, improve traffic flow with controlled intersections, and open up opportunities for new development along the route. It also ties into plans by the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) to modernize the Thunder Bay Expressway with new interchanges and changes to access points at Oliver Road and John Street.

The City is committed to ensuring the project meets the current needs of the community and appreciates public input to guide this process.

How to get Involved

Thank you to the residents of Thunder Bay for their participation in the Northwest Arterial project. Community members had the opportunity to share their input at the public meeting on December 4 at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, and through an online survey that was available from December 4 to January 10, 2025. Your feedback is essential in shaping this project and ensuring it meets the needs of our community.