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This page contains present day photos (Year 2000 to date) of Ontario's King's Highway 17, arranged by location from Spanish westerly to Blind River. All photographs displayed on this page were taken by the Webmaster (Cameron Bevers), unless specifically noted otherwise. Click on any thumbnail to see a larger image!

Please note that all photographs displayed on this website are protected by copyright. These photographs must not be reproduced, published, electronically stored or copied, distributed, or posted onto other websites without my written permission. If you want to use photos from this website, please email me first for permission. Thank-you!

Page 16: Present Day King's Highway 17 Photographs (Spanish to Blind River)


HWY 17 #1444 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1469 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Approaching Spanish on Hwy 17, facing west. Spanish lies about 50 km west of Espanola and 45 km east of Blind River. Blue-and-white community name signs, such as the one marking Spanish at right, are commonly seen at the entrances to unincorporated communities along Ontario's Highways. Although it is now officially a town, Spanish was once an unincorporated community within the larger Township of Shedden. Today's Town of Spanish was created in 2004, when the Township of Shedden renamed itself after this community. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Distance guide sign on eastbound Hwy 17 departing from Spanish. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1471 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1470 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing west along Hwy 17 from John Street in Spanish. Situated west of Massey along Hwy 17, Spanish is the largest town along the highway between Massey and Blind River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Distance guide sign on westbound Hwy 17 departing from Spanish. The route of Hwy 17 between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie generally follows the historical route of the Sudbury-Soo Trunk Road. Prior to 1937, Ontario's Department of Northern Development maintained the Sudbury-Soo Trunk Road as part of their system of northern Trunk Roads. When the Department of Northern Development was amalgamated with the Department of Highways of Ontario (DHO) in the 1930s, the DHO assumed responsibility for the northern Trunk Road system as an extension of the King's Highway system. About 200 miles (325 km) of the Sudbury-Soo Trunk Road was assumed by the DHO as part of King's Highway 17, effective June 30, 1937. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1520 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1521 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Newer municipal boundary sign on the western approach to the Town of Spanish on Hwy 17. Until recent years, Spanish was an unincorporated community located within the Township of Shedden. In 2004, the Township of Shedden adopted the name of its largest community and was officially renamed as the Town of Spanish. Blue-and-white municipal signs marking "Village of/Town of/City of" indicate to motorists that they are entering an incorporated municipality, rather than an unincorporated settlement or community. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 21, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards Cutler from the western boundary of Spanish. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 21, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1472 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1473 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Approaching Cutler on Hwy 17, facing west. Cutler is a rather sprawling rural community situated along Hwy 17 in Canninish First Nation, located about 6 km east of the Hwy 108 Junction at Serpent River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Spanish, departing from Cutler. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1474 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #485 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Spanish at Weegwas Road in Cutler. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Abandoned Hwy 17 bridge across the Serpent River near Cutler. This short pony truss bridge was likely built in the 1920s. It was used by Hwy 17 traffic up until the completion of the Cutler-Serpent River Diversion in 1939. The old alignment of Hwy 17 to Serpent River ceased to be under the jurisdiction of the DHO in 1948. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #481 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #482 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - Old Serpent River Bridge on Hwy 17 west of Cutler in 2003, prior to replacement. This bridge was completed in 1937 & 1938 as part of the construction of the Cutler-Serpent River Diversion in the late 1930s. The Serpent River Bridge was replaced with a new single-span structure in 2004. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Cutler at the old Serpent River Bridge in 2003. This structure is located about 5 km east of the Hwy 108 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #483 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #484 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - Northern side of the old Serpent River Bridge on Hwy 17 in 2003, prior to replacement. In 1937, a single concrete rigid frame span with a length of 60 feet was completed along a new diversion of Hwy 17 between Cutler and Serpent River. An additional concrete rigid frame span of 30 feet was constructed in 1938, presumably to accommodate additional water flow during the peak spring runoff season. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Picturesque view of the old Serpent River Bridge on Hwy 17 near Cutler in 2003, prior to replacement. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1439 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1438 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Traces of the original timber plank falsework are visible in this photo of the abutment wall and soffit of the old Serpent River Bridge on Hwy 17. Rigid frame bridges such as this use cast-in-place concrete for construction, so a substantial amount of falsework is required to support the concrete during the curing process. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Close-up of the handrail design of the old Serpent River Bridge on Hwy 17 between Cutler and the Hwy 108 Junction, showing the decorative embossed concrete features. Three vertical embossed stripes were included on the concrete handrails of many DHO-built bridges in the 1930s. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #511 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #505 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Cutler at the new Serpent River Bridge in 2005. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - New Serpent River Bridge on Hwy 17 near Cutler. This single span concrete girder structure was completed in 2004. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #506 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #507 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - The new Serpent River Bridge has a pedestrian walking trail from a roadside park and picnic area to a series of waterfalls on the northern side of the highway. The new structure is slightly longer than the old bridge, which allows pedestrians a safe passage below Hwy 17. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - View of the new Hwy 17 bridge over the Serpent River from Kennebec Falls in 2005. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1446 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Above - Scenic view of Kennebec Falls on the Serpent River, just north of Hwy 17. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #508 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #509 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards the Hwy 108 Junction at the new Serpent River Bridge in 2005. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Steel box-beam handrails on the new Serpent River Bridge. This type of bridge handrail is becoming quite common on bridges in Northern Ontario. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #510 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #512 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - Part of the former 1937 bridge abutment was strategically left in place to resist erosion of the rock and gravel fill placed below the walking trail. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Structure identification number (Site #38S-247) and date stamp (2004) on the new Serpent River Bridge on Hwy 17 west of Cutler. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1522 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1523 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - View of the Serpent River Roadside Park along Hwy 17 west of Cutler. This large roadside park is also among the oldest of MTO's parks located along Hwy 17. Established in 1940, this roadside park nearly pre-dates World War II. A small park site was constructed along the western bank of the Serpent River shortly after the completion of the Cutler-Serpent River Diversion in 1939. The small park proved to be a very popular stopping point for motorists travelling on Hwy 17, so the park was expanded from its original size in the mid-1950s to allow for increased usage by tourists. Post-War travel demand in Ontario was rather explosive, with the total cumulative annual mileage driven by all Ontario motorists roughly tripling between the years 1945 and 1955. This sudden surge in traffic put strain on not only the province's highway network, but also roadside amenities such as DHO's roadside park system. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 21, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - View from the entrance of the Serpent River Roadside Park on Hwy 17. This large roadside park offers numerous picnic tables, several internal parking lanes, washrooms and garbage containers for the convenience of motorists using Hwy 17. The roadside park also features a short walking trail to nearby Kennebec Falls. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 21, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1440 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #513 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - These old stone foundations overlook the Serpent River in a roadside park adjacent to Hwy 17. It is not clear what this structure once was, but it might be the foundations of a picnic shelter. Roof-covered picnic shelters were commonly seen at DHO's roadside parks constructed during the 1930s and 1940s. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Trans-Canada Highway sign on Hwy 17 at Serpent River, located about 2 km east of the Hwy 108 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1475 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1476 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Approaching the community of Serpent River on Hwy 17, facing east. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Blue guide sign on westbound Hwy 17 directing Elliot Lake-bound traffic to use Hwy 108. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1477 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #532 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Approaching the Hwy 108 Junction on Hwy 17 at Serpent River, facing west. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Green guide sign on westbound Hwy 17 at the Hwy 108 Junction at Serpent River. Elliot Lake is a sizeable city situated about 30 km north of the Hwy 17 & Hwy 108 Junction. The Elliot Lake Highway was initially known as Secondary Highway 612 in the mid-1950s. It was re-designated as King's Highway 108 in 1957. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 16, 2007  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1441 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1484 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - An older "JCT" junction sign approaching the Hwy 108 Junction on eastbound Hwy 17. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 31, 2003  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Junction sign assembly at the southern terminus of Hwy 108 at the Hwy 17 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1479 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1478 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Distance guide sign on eastbound Hwy 17 at the Hwy 108 Junction at Serpent River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards Blind River at the Hwy 108 Junction at Serpent River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #514 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #515 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Cutler from the Hwy 108 Junction at Serpent River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Junction of Hwy 17 & Hwy 108, facing north towards Elliot Lake from the Serpent River Truck Scales. Only three King's Highways head north from Hwy 17 between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie - Hwy 144, Hwy 108 and Hwy 129. Of these three highways, Hwy 108 is the only one which does not connect to any other King's Highways at the northern terminus. Rather, Hwy 108's only outlet is via Secondary Highways (Hwy 639 and Hwy 546), which form a rather scenic but long loop back to Hwy 17 at Iron Bridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 3, 2005  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1481 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1482 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - The channelized right-turn ramp from westbound Hwy 17 to northbound Hwy 108 becomes a passing lane north of Serpent River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Distance guide sign on northbound Hwy 108 near the Hwy 17 Junction. Although it is a fairly large urban centre, Elliot Lake is the only settlement situated along Hwy 108. North of Elliot Lake, Hwy 108 becomes Hwy 639 which continues north to connect with Hwy 546 in a rather remote area. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1485 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1483 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Approaching the southern terminus of Hwy 108 at the Hwy 17 Junction at Serpent River. Hwy 108 descends a long grade approaching the highway junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - View of the junction of Hwy 17 & Hwy 108 at Serpent River, facing south. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1487 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1486 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards Blind River from the Hwy 108 Junction at Serpent River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Approaching the Hwy 108 Junction on Hwy 17, facing east towards Spanish. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1488 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1480 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Junction sign assembly departing from the Serpent River Truck Scales at the Hwy 17 & Hwy 108 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Distance guide sign on westbound Hwy 17 at the Hwy 108 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 28, 2011  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1489 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1490 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Junction sign assembly facing westbound Hwy 17 traffic approaching the Hwy 538 Junction east of Algoma Mills. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Facing west along Hwy 538 towards Algoma Mills from the eastern Hwy 17 Junction. Hwy 538 is a short Secondary Highway which follows the Lake Huron shoreline for about 6 km before reconnecting with Hwy 17 at Algoma Mills. This highway is actually a bypassed loop of the Sudbury-Soo Trunk Road, which very briefly served as the route for Hwy 17 during the 1930s. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1493 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1494 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Distance guide sign on eastbound Hwy 17 at the eastern Hwy 538 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards Blind River at the eastern Hwy 538 Junction. This point marks the beginning of the Lauzon Creek Diversion, which bypassed several miles of the original route of Hwy 17 east of Algoma Mills. Prior to the completion of the Lauzon Creek Diversion in 1938, Hwy 17 curved sharply to the left and crossed the railway line at-grade. The new highway not only removed this railway crossing from the Trans-Canada Highway, but it also improved the highway's horizontal and vertical geometry to allow for faster through traffic. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1491 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1492 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Approaching the eastern terminus of Hwy 538 at the Hwy 17 Junction east of Algoma Mills. Note the at-grade railway crossing in the foreground, which briefly existed on Hwy 17 before the Lauzon Creek Diversion was constructed east of Algoma Mills. The at-grade railway crossing was bypassed by a 3-mile highway diversion for Hwy 17 in the late 1930s. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Spanish from the eastern Hwy 538 Junction east of Algoma Mills. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1495 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1496 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Spanish at the eastern Hwy 538 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - View of the Lauzon Creek Diversion (Hwy 17), facing west towards Blind River. Construction began on this new highway diversion in 1936 under Contract #1936-98, just before the completion of the amalgamation of the DHO and Department of Northern Development. Construction of this diversion was thus already underway at the time the DHO assumed responsibility for the Sudbury-Soo Trunk Road as Hwy 17 in 1937. The new highway featured much-improved horizontal and vertical geometry to allow for faster through traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1497 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #488 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Junction sign assembly approaching the eastern terminus of Hwy 538 at Hwy 17. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing east along Hwy 17 at the Lauzon Creek Culvert east of Blind River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 5, 2004  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #486 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #487 - © Cameron Bevers

Left - Concrete arch culvert at Lauzon Creek on Hwy 17 at Algoma Mills, located about 12 km east of Blind River's town centre. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 5, 2004  -  © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Northern side of the Lauzon Creek Culvert on Hwy 17. This concrete barrel arch structure was completed in 1937, under Contract #1937-99. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 5, 2004  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1500 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1501 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing east along the Lauzon Creek Diversion (Hwy 17) towards Spanish at the western Hwy 538 Junction at Algoma Mills. The diversion opened to traffic with a gravel surface in 1938. Motorists would have to wait until after World War II before being able to drive on a paved surface east of Algoma Mills. The Lauzon Creek Diversion was finally paved with an asphalt surface in 1948. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Junction sign assembly facing westbound Hwy 17 traffic at the western Hwy 538 Junction at Algoma Mills. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1498 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1499 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards Spanish at the western Hwy 538 Junction at Algoma Mills. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Fingerboard guide signs and Hwy 538 Ends route marker at Algoma Mills. At one time, Hwy 538 also extended a short distance west through Algoma Mills. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1502 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1503 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - View of Hwy 538 at Algoma Mills, facing east from the Hwy 17 Junction. Note the 25 km/h advisory speed and winding road signs on Hwy 538. The DHO sought to bypass this winding section of the Subdury-Soo Trunk Road as quickly as possible in the 1930s. The new Lauzon Creek Diversion (Hwy 17) can be seen curving away at left. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards Blind River from the western Hwy 538 Junction at Algoma Mills. The former western leg of Hwy 538 (Centre Street) can be seen beside Hwy 17 at right. Centre Street passes through the community of Algoma Mills. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1504 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1505 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Junction sign assembly approaching the western terminus of Hwy 538 at Hwy 17. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Approaching Algoma Mills on Hwy 17, facing east. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1506 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1507 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing west along Hwy 17 towards Blind River from the western entrance to Algoma Mills. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Distance guide sign on westbound Hwy 17 departing from Algoma Mills. Located just east of Blind River, the community of Algoma Mills sits roughly at the half-way point between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. The former western loop of Hwy 538 through Algoma Mills can be seen reconnecting to Hwy 17 in the background at Air Service Road. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1508 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1509 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing west along Hwy 17 at the municipal limits of the Town of Blind River. Due to the amalgamation of the town and surrounding townships, Blind River's municipal limits are located a considerable distance from the town's urbanized area. In the late 1930s, about 9 miles (14 km) of concrete pavement was constructed along Hwy 17 through the Blind River area. This pavement extended east from Blind River's eastern limits to approximately this point. From this point easterly to the Spanish and Cutler area, Hwy 17 remained a gravel-surfaced highway until after World War II. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Municipal boundary sign for Blind River on westbound Hwy 17. With a population of 3,600, Blind River is the largest town along Hwy 17 between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1510 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1511 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Algoma Mills from the end of the four-lane highway through Blind River's urbanized centre. Since Hwy 17 is the only practical through road in the Blind River area, it is quite a well-travelled route. Traffic volumes on the approaches to Blind River are noticeably higher than other sections of Hwy 17 along Lake Huron's North Shore. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Distance guide sign on eastbound Hwy 17 departing from Blind River. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1512 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1514 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing west towards Blind River's town centre along Hwy 17 approaching Leacock Street. Hwy 17 has a four-lane cross section through the urbanized portion of Blind River. As originally established in 1937, Hwy 17 did not curve to the left as it does today. Early motorists on Hwy 17 would have continued straight ahead and approached Blind River on Leacock Street, which can be seen in the background immediately left of the Blind River welcome sign. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - View of Leacock Street as it emerges at Hwy 17 at the eastern entrance to Blind River. Careful observers will note that Leacock Street is tangential to Hwy 17 on the approach to the curve in the background, which is usually a tell-tale sign of a diversion from the highway's historical route. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1513 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1515 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing west along Causley Street (Hwy 17) from Leacock Street in Blind River. This curved section of Hwy 17 is actually a diversion of the original 1937 highway's route. Causley Street was extended easterly from Blind River's town centre in the late 1930s in an effort to create a much simpler through route for Hwy 17. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - View of Leacock Street (Old Hwy 17), facing west from Causley Street. Until the late 1930s, motorists travelling the Trans-Canada Highway to Sault Ste. Marie would have approached Blind River along this street. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1516 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1517 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - View of Leacock Street facing east from King Edward Street in Blind River. It may be hard to believe that this quiet residential street was Hwy 17 at one time, but it was! See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - Historically, provincial jurisdiction over Hwy 17 ended at this point at the former eastern limits of Blind River at the intersection of King Edward Street. From this point westerly into the town centre, Hwy 17 (Leacock Street) was under municipal jurisdiction. Although this section of Hwy 17 was bypassed by a diversion and easterly extension of Causley Street just prior to World War II, provincial jurisdiction over the bypassed route of Hwy 17 east of King Edward Street wasn't transferred to the Town of Blind River until 1957. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)





HWY 17 #1518 - © Cameron Bevers             HWY 17 #1519 - © Cameron Bevers

NEW Left - Facing east along Causley Street (Hwy 17) at King Edward Street. An eastern extension of Causley Street was constructed in the late 1930s in order to bypass Hwy 17's awkward eastern approach to the town centre on the original highway's route. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)

NEW Right - View of Causley Street (Hwy 17) at King Edward Street, facing west towards the town centre. Due to the adjacent Huron Central Railway, all development along Hwy 17 through Blind River is situated on the northern side of the highway. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on August 17, 2022  -  © Cameron Bevers)




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