April 20, 2007
Province Initiates Route Selection Process For Permanent All-Weather Road On The East Side Of Lake Winnipeg
Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux today announced the province will be undertaking a route selection process for a permanent all-weather road on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
The route selection process will involve extensive consultations with affected communities and will look at options for all-weather road access, said Lemieux. The process will cover an area that extends from the vicinity of Manigotagan in the south to Oxford House in the north, and from Lake Winnipeg on the west to the Ontario border on the east. Communities in the region include Bloodvein, Berens River, Poplar River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi, St. Theresa Point, Waasagomach, Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, Norway House, Cross Lake, Oxford House, Gods River and Gods Lake Narrows.
“Manitoba has already completed a functional engineering and environmental study and has committed $15 million to begin construction of the first leg of an all-weather road on the east side of Lake Winnipeg between Manigotagan and the Bloodvein First Nation,” said Lemieux. “The route selection process is the next step in our long-term goal to further develop all-weather road access in this area.”
A request for proposals will be issued later this year to secure a consultant to undertake the selection process. Lemieux noted the province has written to the federal government to ensure it will be a full partner in the process.
“We have made improvements, but this region continues to be under-served by the transportation network,” said Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson. “Our goal is to lower transportation costs, increase economic opportunities and enhance the quality of life in these communities.”
“Our government continues to move forward on our long-term vision to provide permanent links for remote and isolated communities in Manitoba,” said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin. “We want to improve access and economic benefits while remaining sensitive to the needs of the people of Manitoba and the environment of the region.”
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