August 26, 2026
Ontario and Aroland First Nation are moving forward with major upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads, an important component of Ontario’s accelerated plan to build all-season road connections to the Ring of Fire critical minerals region.
Preliminary design and early works began June 30, 2026, with the upgraded roads scheduled to open by November 2030, two years earlier than previously planned.
The project will upgrade approximately 97 kilometres of roadway and replace all 62 culverts along the corridor. Planned improvements include bridge and drainage upgrades, road realignment and widening to meet two-lane secondary highway standards.
Once completed, the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads will help connect Highway 643 with proposed all-season routes serving the Ring of Fire, including the Marten Falls Community Access Road, Webequie Supply Road and Northern Road Link.
The project is also expected to create employment opportunities for Aroland First Nation and support northern Ontario businesses.
The road improvements build on a Shared Prosperity Agreement signed by Ontario and Aroland First Nation in January 2025. The agreement includes investments in community infrastructure, transportation and energy transmission intended to improve access to services and support First Nation-led economic development.
Ontario says development of the Ring of Fire could unlock an estimated $22 billion in economic potential and support 70,000 jobs, while strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains.
Several other transportation projects are advancing under Ontario’s accelerated Ring of Fire infrastructure plan, subject to required approvals and consultation.
Construction of the Webequie Supply Road began in June 2026 and is targeted for completion by November 2030. The Marten Falls Community Access Road is scheduled to begin construction in August 2026, while the Northern Road Link is targeted to begin in spring 2028. Both are scheduled to open by November 2031.
Together, the projects are intended to improve connections between remote First Nations, Ontario’s provincial highway network and the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region.
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