Chapleau and Timmins representatives meet to plan Highway 101 to connect communities

After Highway 129 between Chapleau and Thessalon was opened the next project was to connect the community with Timmins. 

The North Bay Nugget addressed the issue in an editorial in February 1951.

"It has remained for Chapleau a tiny town to the north and west of us (North Bay) to start the ball rolling for a road between Chapleau and Timmins," the editorial said.

"Good for Chapleau. We hope they are successful. At the same time we wonder what the trouble is with Sudbury's initiative that it has failed to get together with Timmins (they are the two bigggest communities in the northland) to press for a highway to link up their cities."

Highway 144 linking Sudbury and Timmins was to come along later.

The editorial noted that a group of "Porcupine enthusiasts made a jaunt to Chapleau to talk up the new highway. Now Chapleau has returned the compliment.

Chapleau Reeve, B. W. 'Bubs" Zufelt who had assumed office in 1948, was impressed with the apparent ease with which a highway could be hacked through the bush between Chapleau and Timmins. Mr. Zufelt expressed the belief that the chain of lakes spotting the area could be rimmed at normal costs.

In the interests of full disclosure, Bubs Zufelt was my uncle.

"With the road completed, we shall not be the distant neighbours we are at present", he said. "We are certain this delegation is going to much toward getting the government to do something about getting this road."

The editorial continued that the "Timmins-Chapleau highway plan was fathered by business groups in the two towns and already it has been actively endorsed by labour unions in the area. They see the road as increasing employment opportunities since it would open rich timber and mineral resources now dormant because of the lack of transportation."

The editorial concluded: "Well, all we can say is, good for Chapleau andtimmins. We hope they get their road."

By 1962, Highway 101 was completed linking Chapleau and Timmins through Foleyet.

I remember the grand opening in Chapleau when the parade assembled at the Shawmere River and came into town. 

My first memory of travelling over Highway 101 to Timmins was In August 1964 when my Uncle Bubs drove me to Timmins to start my first job as a daily newspaper reporter at the Timmins Daily Press. My grandmother Edythe Hunt accompanied us. Like all grandmothers she had to check everything out!!!!

By 1966, Highway 101 had been extended to connect Chapleau and Wawa. However, although Chapleau had been promised that the Trans Canada Highway would pass through it, the community is still waiting!!!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca