News Releases

Residents of Manitoba’s north now have access to the 2,200-kilometre winter road system which is now open to commercial trucks and other vehicles, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux announced today.

 

“Each year, these winter roads allow commercial trucks to bring about 2,500 shipments of needed staples like food and fuel to a large number of northern communities while at the same time providing road access for area residents,” said Lemieux.  “Colder temperatures allowed construction crews to make good progress and the weather has resulted in ice thick enough to support the large trucks, however some routes have weight restrictions for the time being.”

 

This year, the winter road system opened about one week ahead of last year. Anyone using the system should also be aware that some sections may have to be closed for repairs on short notice, due to changing weather conditions or performance of ongoing maintenance.  

 

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, in partnership with the federal government, has made a number of improvements to the winter road network for the 2009 season including completion of a new bridge and other road improvements at Gods Lake Narrows. The cost of the entire structure, including installation work, was $7 million. 

 

The overall budget to open and maintain this system of winter roads is cost shared between the provincial and federal governments and increased this year to a total of $9 million. In addition, approximately $1 million will be spent on improvements to the winter road network. 

 

“Provincial spending on winter roads has more than doubled to $4.5 million for 2008-09 from $1.8 million in 1999,” said Lemieux. 

 

The work done to prepare the winter road system was performed by 23 companies and created work for approximately 100 employees. Construction and maintenance work is contracted out, primarily to local communities or First Nation joint-venture companies which also creates local construction training opportunities.

 

The latest information on the winter road system, provincial road conditions and related safety information can be obtained at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo/ or toll-free at 1-877-MBRoads.

 

- 30 -