THE HIGHWAYS OF
ONTARIO ARTICLE - reproduced for ease of reading.
The Highways of Ontario have now reached an advanced stage of improvement.
This is true to such an extent that we no longer have any hesitation in
broadcasting the news and inviting motor tourists to visit
Ontario. Canada's Premier Province.
For, the past
twenty-five years. the Provincial Government has been interested
,financially in the improvement of Ontario's roadways, and
the beneficial result
of this interest, coupled with local
endeavour is clearly demonstrated from the fact that out of a total of
67,821 miles in all, 31,162 are improved gravel,
5.025
are
paved.
The first interest was
in 1901 when one million dollars was voted to enable the counties to finance
their highways. Only twenty-five years have passed and during that time
County Road systems have been established in all the organized counties of Old
Ontario. Provincial Highways have been taken under the wings of the
Department of Highways, and a greater mileage of surfaced roads is found in
Ontario in proportion to the total road mileage that is found in any other
Province or state on the North American continent. To-day good roads, not
always paved, but smooth, safe roads which the motorist can use with comfort,
stretch from one end of the Province to the other and lead to many beautiful
spots where rest and health are found for all who seek.
It is not the
purpose of this article to describe in
detail Ontario's
roads, but
only to advise the motor owner in this Province, or the visitor,
that Ontario's highways are alluring and attractive
and that the picture just ahead is always worth while.
Perhaps it is not generally
known that the Highway from Windsor to the Quebec border, via London will all
be paved at the end of the present year and that a person
will then be able to travel over 700 miles of
pavement without a detour;
That a person can travel in
comparative comfort from Toronto to Sault Ste, Marie, via North Bay, over
an improved road, much of it paved; that the east shore of Lake Huron has a road leading from Sarnia to Collingwood, much of it of high-class gravel construction; that Muskoka and Georgian Bay,
that the Highlands of Ontario, the Kawartha Lakes or the Ottawa Valley are all connected with roads which are constantly being maintained under a patrol system.
More than a million and a half cars entered Ontario last year from the United States. This
year many more will follow, and we trust that each party, having been
courteously treated and having viewed nature at its best will be an advertising
agency who will tell of our rushing rivers,
our peaceful lakes, our towering pines and of shady brooks teeming with fish.
Our roads will be comparatively free from detours, will be patrolled by officers' whose business is to give
direction and information to make highway travel safe and to make preventable accidents impossible.
Hotels, camp sites, summer cottages, farm houses, all, have entered a competition in extending a Welcome and in insuring a happy holiday. Should
you at any time consider touring by motor through Ontario, the Department
of Public Highways, 110 University Avenue, Toronto, will be only too pleased to send complete
information covering conditions, best routes from point to point, etc. or to outline a complete tour covering whatever period is desired. An
interesting booklet giving full information respecting road laws fish and game regulations.
etc., as well as describing the more outstanding points of interest and summer
resorts, will also be gladly forwarded upon request.
S. L. SQUIRE, Deputy
Minister.
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