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History of Secondary Highway 559 (#2):
A different Secondary Highway 559 was established in the Parry Sound area in 1961. During the late 1950s, Highway 69 was upgraded between Parry Sound and
Pointe-au-Baril. As a result of these highway upgrades, a significant portion of the original Highway 69 route was bypassed by a new straighter highway. The old route
of Highway 69 was designated as a Secondary Highway in early 1961. The Highway 559 designation was assigned to this route, since this route number was once again
available after the first Highway 559 near Thessalon was renumbered as Highway 129. Old Highway 69 through Carling and McDougall Townships was officially
re-designated as Highway 559 by an Order-in-Council on April 20, 1961. Old Highway 69 through Shawanaga Township was re-designated as Highway 559 by an
Order-in-Council on April 27, 1961. As originally designated in 1961, the route of Highway 559 departed from the newly-built Highway 69 alignment immediately north of
Nobel and reconnected with the new Highway 69 route south of Pointe-au-Baril. The entire 13-mile length of Highway 559 was paved at the time of the route's
designation in 1961. The route did not change significantly until the 1980s.
During the early 1980s, Ministry of Transportation & Communications (MTC) assumed jurisdiction and control of the Dillon & Killbear Park Road. The road leading to Killbear Provincial Park from Highway 559 was heavily-travelled in the summer months, and it was decided that this road should be provincially maintained. A Preliminary Assumption Plan was prepared by the MTC on April 7, 1982, indicating the intention to assume the existing road to Killbear Provincial Park as a new provincial highway. The plan was registered on April 14, 1982, and the road was formally designated as a Secondary Highway by an Order-in-Council, effective May 13, 1982. A decision was made to apply the Highway 559 designation along the newly-assumed road to Killbear Provincial Park, in order to provide a simpler route for motorists to reach this popular destination. Highway 559 was rerouted from Nobel to Killbear Provincial Park during 1982. The former section of Highway 559 via Shawanaga was then assigned an unposted 7000-series highway number (Highway 7182). Following the 1982 renumbering, Highway 559's length stood at 19.6 km. The new Highway 559 extension to Killbear Provincial Park was already paved at the time of designation. During 2010, a new Highway 69 & Highway 400 Bypass was completed around Nobel. As a result of the highway relocation, a new route was established for Highway 559 north of Nobel which tied into the relocated highway at a new grade-separated interchange. As a result of this realignment, Highway 559 grew slightly shorter, as a section of the former highway leading into Nobel was bypassed altogether. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit on Highway 559 is 80 km/h (50 mph). Services are available on Highway 559 at Pengallie Bay, near the Killbear Provincial Park Entrance. A different, unrelated Highway 559 existed in the Thessalon area during 1956. |
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