News Releases

The profile of communities such as Lockport, Beausejour, Rennie, Whitemouth and areas of the Whiteshell Provincial Park will be enhanced by the installation of new, historic highway signs along PTH 44, which has been designated Historic Highway No. 1, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux has announced. 

 

“Last November the Manitoba government passed Bill 209, the Historic Highway No.1 Act,” said Lemieux. “It recognizes and acknowledges PTH 44 as being part of the first national highway system in Canada, even before the current Trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba.”

 

The act was passed to commemorate PTH 44 for:

·         being part of the first national highway system before the present Trans-Canada was completed,

·         providing a key link in the movement of people and goods across Canada, and

·         playing an integral role in the economic development of Manitoba and the population growth of Western Canada.

 

“PTH 44 helped Manitoba grow economically and it is a key transportation route for both trade and tourism in the province,” said Selkirk MLA Greg Dewar in Lockport today on behalf of Lemieux. “There’s no question PTH 44 is a vital route in Manitoba, which is why it is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate with the community as we unveil the new signs.”

 

The creation of the historic signs was completed in collaboration with the Eastern Manitoba Tourism Association.

 

“Provincial recognition of this historic route will be a valuable promotional tool as we seek to develop tourism opportunities across the region,” said William F. Paulishyn, president of the Eastern Manitoba Tourism Association. “We are delighted the province has created a unique sign recalling PTH 44’s past importance as a major highway.  This acknowledgment of our historic route is the result of consistent efforts by many people who remember this route as Highway No. 1.”

 

A total of 21 signs will be located along the route that runs from PTH 9 in the Lockport area east and through Whiteshell Provincial Park, before ending at West Hawk Lake. The project is a tourism initiative that is intended to draw tourists off the Trans-Canada Highway to communities in the vicinity of the renamed portions of PTH 44.  The signs are a $6,000 investment. 

 

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