October 31, 1996
Northeast Perimeter Link Officially Opened
Northeast Perimeter Link Officially Opened– – –New 11-Kilometre Section of PTH 101 Completes Circular Access Route to City
A strategic transportation corridor was improved today with the official opening of the northeast link of the Perimeter Highway (PTH 101) between PTH 15 and PTH 59 during a ceremony attended by Highways and Transportation Minister Glen Findlay, Family Services Minister Bonnie Mitchelson and Provencher Member of Parliament David Iftody.
The 11-kilometre, two-lane, two-way section was constructed at a total cost of just over $17 million. Through the Strategic Highway Improvement Program (SHIP), the Government of Canada contributed about $6.41 million to the total construction cost. The new section extends from Dugald Road (PTH 15) rounding north by northwest to Lagimodiere Boulevard (PTH 59).
"With the completion of the northeast Perimeter link, Winnipeg is one of the few cities in North America, and the only one in Canada, to have a circular route accessing the city," said Findlay. "The historic completion of this expressway, first started in 1957, will help with efforts to maintain Winnipeg and Manitoba as a transportation hub. The co-operative spirit displayed through the Strategic Highway Improvement Program is an example of how the two levels of government can work together in creating jobs and improving the infrastructure system."
"This $17 million completion of the Perimeter will provide safe and orderly traffic flow for commuters between Winnipeg and the surrounding areas, reduced traffic on major city streets such as Lagimodiere Boulevard and easier tourist access to the many beaches and recreational areas lying north and east of Winnipeg," said Mitchelson. "The highway will also be a benefit to the many businesses in the area as well as Manitoba's vibrant trucking industry."
"The Government of Canada shares the concern of the provinces and territories for a safe and efficient national highway system," said Iftody. "We need such a system to meet the growing needs of Canadian trade, tourism and travel. This project is an excellent example of the co-operative relationship that the Government of Canada enjoys with the provinces and territories, a relationship that benefits all Canadians--as this new section of highway proves."
The 11-kilometre section includes a new bridge over the CPR line and a level crossing at the CNR line with automatic signal protection. The intersections at PTH 15 and PTH 59 have been reconfigured with traffic control lights. As well, the intersection of PTH 59 and the perimeter now features a dual left-turn lane to accommodate traffic moving onto the west-bound PTH 101. Signs are also in place alerting motorists to the new traffic control lights.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE PERIMETER EXTENSION - The northeast Perimeter extension runs 11 kilometres from PTH 15 to PTH 59 (the entire Perimeter Highway, designated PTH 100 south of the Trans-Canada Highway and PTH 101 north of the Trans-Canada).
- Cost of the extension is $17,230,173.
- Strategic Highway Improvement Program (SHIP) portion totals $12,813,782 (shared equally by Canada and Manitoba at $6,406,891). Manitoba's share of the overall cost amounts to $10,823,282 (including SHIP funding).
- Perimeter Highway started in the late 1950s and 1960s.
- The initial plans, developed in 1989, called for the entire 11-kilometre section to be completed with four lanes and interchanges by the year 2000.
- In 1993, the provincial government revised the plan to bring into use an operational traffic route at an earlier date at the lowest possible cost. The construction schedule was refocused to provide a two-lane roadway to be open by the fall of 1996.