Strategic Smooth Rock Falls truck stop a huge win for near north travel

By autumn 2027, a new truck stop in Smooth Rock Falls will provide much-needed amenities for locals, truckers, and travellers on Highway 11 in the central Cochrane District. The strategic stop, built by RJ Construction, will include a Tim Hortons, convenience store, and 24-hour washrooms and showers.

“These services could be especially valuable during highway closures, when drivers may face unexpected delays in our community,” Smooth Rock Falls’ economic development officer, Shannon Piper, told Northern Ontario Business. “Having additional access to washrooms, food and other amenities would help support people while they wait for the highway to reopen.”

Piper noted that Smooth Rock Falls’ Highway 11 location is one of its most important economic assets. Highway 634, which originates in the town, is the access point to the James Bay coast in the winter season, making Smooth Rock Falls a strategic location for businesses operating in the Far North of the province.

“This development gives people more reasons to stop and spend time in our community,” said Piper. “It supports our direction of attracting investment, expanding local services, and strengthening our economy.”

The truck stop, which will have capacity for 50 semi-trucks, will provide the town’s only 24-hour access to amenities, and will be located conveniently close to the Moose Motel.

The site will also offer amenities for a wider range of travellers vacationing in the area, including EV charging, propane filling, car washes, and an RV dumping station. More information about additional fast food restaurants and amenities are expected to be released as construction progresses.

Most of all, residents are looking forward to the highly anticipated Tim Hortons.

“Residents have wanted a Tim Hortons for many years, and we’re pleased to see it included in this development,” said Piper.

Groundbreaking for the truck stop took place in September with RJ Construction, owned by Ranbir Dhaliwal and his wife Jasbir Dhaliwal.

Now operating out of Milton, Ont., after moving from Fergus, Ranbir has been the proprietor of RJ Construction for 22 years.

Other projects RJ Construction has tackled include other gas stations and fast food restaurants like Tim Hortons and Burger King, a Best Western, and a fitness centre.

Dhaliwal reached out to the town after the property entered the expression of interest process in 2025, when the town declared the property surplus.

“Ranbir Dhaliwal has publicly acknowledged the town’s welcome and support from the outset. We look forward to continuing that relationship as the development takes shape,” said Piper.​

​Dhaliwal said the truck stop represents a great opportunity to provide Smooth Rock Falls and the surrounding region with important services for locals and travellers.

“There are no gas station truck stops that have a Tim Hortons on the same site in Smooth Rock Falls,” Dhaliwal told Northern Ontario Business. “When I met with the town, Mayor Patrick Roberts told me the issues in the area with trucking. When the highways are closed, the trucks have no room to park. I noticed there was a big line of trucks on the highway.”​

​Dhaliwal also said there were no easily accessible washrooms for truckers, who are often forced to sleep in their trucks for three or four days during highway closures.

The project also supports the town’s efforts to welcome new business opportunities as part of its 20-year Vision and Strategic Plan.

Stretching from 2015-2035, the plan supports both the town’s municipal services and its place in the regional economy through pursuing strategic economic development opportunities.

With the closure of the Tembec Mill in 2006, Smooth Rock Falls began to explore ways it could sustain economic growth outside the forestry sector, which had provided the majority of its employment opportunities for over 90 years.

The Strategic Plan has aided in the town’s mission to continually seek out large and small opportunities, including selling municipal land for use in strategic partnerships with the public sector.

Since the mill closure, population levels have stabilized, and the local business community and housing market are recovering.

The town’s community improvement plan has created improvements such as the state-of-the-art hospital that has become the regional centre for medical care.

Groundbreaking for the Seniors Attainable Housing Project also took place in July of this year. The project will see 20 modern, accessible, two-bedroom rental units for adults over 55. Descon Construction Ltd. is expected to finish construction by Fall 2027.​

​The welcoming community with a unique small-town feel has been open to supporting new commercial businesses with incentives such as the Tax Increment Grant Program.

The program includes a 75 per cent tax rebate in year one, 50 per cent in year two, and 25 per cent in year three. Piper said RJ Construction is eligible and intends to apply to the program.

The town is also still offering 3 lots for sale in its Near North Industrial Centre, a mining, shipping, and forestry hub.

Created in 2018, the 28-acre industrial park offers accommodations to businesses large and small at affordable prices. In 2021, DBI Diesel, a heavy equipment and transport mechanics company, became the park’s first tenant.

Smooth Rock Falls is also offering a wide variety of other rural commercial properties available for sale, ideal for a range of uses including contractor yards, agri-businesses, and retail and dining.