FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE | OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis | Cochrane, Ontario
TOWN AND COUNCIL LOBBY PROVINCE AND INDUSTRY FOR MODERN INTERIM ALTERNATIVE TO ONGOING HISTORICAL TRUCK BY-PASS DIRECTION
COCHRANE, ON — July 26, 2026

The Town is providing a significant update regarding the municipality’s ongoing, forty-year effort to establish a dedicated truck by-pass designed to protect and preserve local municipal infrastructure.

For decades, the heavy volume of industrial traffic transitioning between Highway 11 and Highway 652 has put an unsustainable strain on Cochrane’s local roads. This route serves as an irreplaceable economic artery, connecting the region’s vast natural resource sectors to provincial transportation networks and supporting thousands of families across Northern Ontario. At the same time, municipal data reveals that heavy truck traffic alone has increased three-fold on this route over the last ten years, accelerating the wear and tear on local infrastructure far beyond standard municipal capacities, heightening the urgency for real local solutions.

While the ultimate goal remains the finalization of a provincial truck by-pass, the Town has been working diligently with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) since August 2025 to secure interim funding to upgrade and maintain this critical municipal connection in the meantime. The capital upgrade will surpass six million dollars and the annual maintenance is projected at about $250,000 per year. For perspective, a 1% tax increase in Cochrane is about $90,000.

The Town, the MTO, and the industrial users of our infrastructure have always maintained a highly productive and supportive relationship. Consistent with this history, the MTO is working collaboratively alongside the Town on a path toward establishing this much-needed interim financial relief.

The Town Council wishes to express its deepest appreciation to all stakeholders for stepping up to receive and work on addressing this challenge together. By recognizing the immediate, pressing need of our municipal infrastructure now, and the need for provincial and user support, stakeholders relying on our infrastructure demonstrate continued care for our community, the families who live here, and our collective long-term well-being.

We will keep the community apprised as the initiative progresses to meaningful engagement and real, on the ground local solutions.
Statement from the Mayor “Cochrane is proud to play a central role in our regional economy, and we sincerely recognize and welcome the socio-economic opportunities that result from this heavy industrial traffic passing through our municipality, said Mayor Peter Politis.

At the same time, it is simply not sustainable for the tax base of a small Canadian municipality to support provincial highway infrastructure, along with the ongoing and relentless maintenance required by highway-level industrial traffic.”

Next Steps The Town and Mayor will continue to engage the province and stakeholders in collaborative solution based discussions seeking mutually beneficial outcomes. As progress is made, routine updates will be made accordingly.

Contacts:
Peter Politis, Cochrane Mayor, 705-272-9527; Peter.Politis@cochraneontario.com
Daniel Gagnon, Chief Administrative Officer, Daniel.gagnon@cochraneontario.com
Devon Prevost, Corporate Economic Development and Growth Manager, Devon.Prevost@cochraneontario.com