Air strips and bases of the Pinetree Line

I found a few documents which I'd previously overlooked and made some interesting discoveries, including one regarding Casey, QC.

Around 1953 while the Pinetree Line stations were being built, "Air Strips and Bases" were also being built or upgraded to support them. I found a list of those air strips and bases and here's what I now know.

From the footer of the page

"All of the above except Puntzi and Saglek are Department of Transport (Canada) projects and a standard design is being used at all sites. Air strip runways are 6,000x200ft plus overshoot. Lighting installation must.. completion of the strip."

Using Google Maps I measured what I believe the length of the original landstrip was, and they don't quite fit the hard rule of 6000ft, but they're close. Below I have listed the strip or base, and the associated Pinetree Line station it was related to.

Some of these air strips and bases have gone on to new lives as commercial airports, while some have been abandoned.   I've added the sites to my bucket list, though I don't think I'll ever get a chance to see Saglek myself... but if I do I'm quite sure I'll blog about it :)

Ancienne Lorette (6000ft) - Ste. Marie

View Larger Map


Casey, P.Q. (8000ft) - Parent, Lac St. Senis ADCC
NB: This was a NEW construction, not an extension or upgrade to an existing strip.

View Larger Map


Earlton, Ont. (6000ft) - Falconbridge

View Larger Map


Gore Bay, Ont. (6000ft) - Falconbridge

View Larger Map


Killaloe, Ont. (6500ft) - Foymount
NB: This was a NEW construction, not an extension or upgrade to an existing strip.

View Larger Map


Lac des Loups, P.Q. (5400ft) - Foymount
NB: This was a NEW construction, not an extension or upgrade to an existing strip.

View Larger Map



La Tuque, P.Q. (5000ft) - Mont Apica


View Larger Map



Mont Joli, P.Q. (6000ft) - Mont Apica, Chatham

View Larger Map



Sudbury, Ont (5000ft) - Falconbridge
NB: This was a NEW construction, not an extension or upgrade to an existing strip.

View Larger Map



Val D'Or, P.Q. (10000ft) - Senneterre, Edgar

View Larger Map



Wiarton, Ont. (6000ft) - Edgar

View Larger Map




Muskoka, Ont. (6000ft) - Edgar

View Larger Map



La Macaza, P.Q. (6000ft, formerly called "L'Annonciation") - Lac St. Denis
NB: This was a NEW construction, not an extension or upgrade to an existing strip.

View Larger Map



Puntzi Mtn, B.C. (6000ft) -  Puntzi Mtn.

View Larger Map



Saglek Bay, Labrador (4800ft) - Saglek, Labrador

View Larger Map