Inevitable Disaster

Having driven Hwy 17 North/West hundreds of times in my adult life (I grew up and have family in SSM, live in Southern Ontario, and have a camp north of Thessalon), I am aghast at the prospect of multiple shipments a day of spent nuclear fuel rods travelling on that already dangerous corridor.  Just yesterday I witnessed agressive and foolish driving on the 2-lane portion of Hwy 17 along Lake Huron's north shore, where passing lanes are few and traffic flow can get bogged down. I also often drive on the segment of this highway west from SSM towards Wawa, with its many curves, rock cuts, often treacherous shoulders, and even fewer passing lanes.  Even with a lead 'safety' vehicle, this environment creates a high risk of disaster, not least from aggressive drivers attempting to make up time by dangerously passing slower vehicles.  Any accident during the transportation of these materials will be absolutely catastrophic to not only the future health of the people and the natural environment, but decimate the already challenged tourism/lodge/outfitting sector. This is one more indication of various governments' viewing Northern Ontario as a vast expanse of virtual nothingness to be exploited. Yes, the town of Ignace has agreed to store this waste. However, no matter how comprehensively the IAAC plans for various eventualities, the fact remains that the longer the journey, the greater the risks. And this is a journey of almost 1800 km., multiple journeys per day, for 50 years. I truly hope that despite the odds of disaster, which are verging on inevitable, that catastophe will be avoided. And if not, I truly hope that I am already dead by the time it happens.