Ontario Highway 514 (#2) History - The King's Highways of Ontario

The Secondary Highway 514 designation was utilized once again when a new provincial highway was established in the sparsely-populated western portion of Renfrew County during the 1970s. This area was served by few roads, and this new provincial highway was created to improve provincial highway connectivity in this area. Together with Highway 515, the route of Highway 514 provided an important connection between Highway 62 and Highway 28, via the small community of Schutt. This new route via Schutt provided the only north-south highway connection through the vast region bounded by Highway 62 to the west and Highway 41 to the east.

In 1975, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) sought to acquire jurisdiction and control over the Schutt Road (Development Road 738) as a new Secondary Highway. A Preliminary Assumption Plan was prepared by the MTC dated June 3, 1975, which illustrated the proposed assumption of the Schutt Road as Highway 514. The proposed highway began at the Highway 500 Junction (now known as Highway 28) at Hardwood Lake and extended northerly for approximately 8 miles (13 km) to Highway 515 near Palmer Rapids. This plan was registered on June 19, 1975, and the highway was formally designated as a Secondary Highway by virtue of an Order-in-Council dated August 13, 1975. Highway 514 was retained in the provincial highway system up until the late 1990s, when jurisdiction over the highway was transferred or "downloaded" from the province to the County of Renfrew. This highway transfer took place on January 1, 1998, after which Highway 514 became officially known as Renfrew County Road 514. Another unrelated Highway 514 existed in the Huntsville area between 1956 and 1972.

Highway 514 is among the most spectacular highways in the southern half of Ontario. Even though it is scarcely 13 km in length, the highway's tight curves, steep hills and beautiful scenery will certainly prove to be an absolute delight for all driving enthusiasts. The highway's dramatic approach to Schutt from the south is simply unforgettable, particularly in the fall colour season. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit on Highway 514 is 80 km/h (50 mph). There are no services available on this highway.