Communities along one of Ontario's deadliest roadways are asking the provincial government for help.
Highway 17 between Arnpror and Petawawa has seen more than a dozen fatal crashes in the past year, with 12 deaths in 2011.
The search for a solution brought Renfrew County together for a meeting on Wednesday, with the main focus on widening the highway's current two lanes.
"People are dying in Renfrew County because we have inadequate roads," said Treena Lemay of the Petawawa Police Services Board.
"The fatality numbers in our detachment area were very bleak," said S-Sgt. Colin Slight of the OPP. "I'm certainly in favour of the reconstruction of Highway 17 into a four-lane highway."
Among the victims of the highway are Bryan Casey, killed in a head-on crash near Arnprior, and two people killed in a three-car collision.
"These are moms and dads and husbands and wives," said Deep River Mayor David Thompson. "One fatality is one too many."
County officials are asking for a meeting with provincial transportation minister Bob Chiarelli on the highway, which would cost millions or even billions of dollars.
Police said while they wait for possible funding, there are some things motorists can do to make the roads safer.
"If our drivers are driving the speed limit, if our drivers are buckling up, there is less risk of them being injured in a collision," said Slight.
Area mayors made a similar request for funding in February 2011.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Ellen Mauro
