April 24, 2014
Manitoba Government Pumps Up Oil Patch with Major Road Improvements: Premier Selinger
BRANDON—Manitoba’s thriving oil patch will see millions of dollars in provincial road repairs and upgrades to help boost economic growth in southwestern Manitoba, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today.
“These projects will create an improved road network for this important economic activity in southwest Manitoba,” Premier Selinger said. “The petroleum and mineral industry provided jobs for more than 5,700 people, with another 18,000 employed in spinoff businesses. The value of petroleum and mineral production is around $3 billion each year.”
The projects underway or starting in 2014-15 range from resurfacing with chip seals and asphalt pavement to rehabilitating or replacing bridges and culverts, totalling $29million, and including:
- the Trans-Canada Highway, westbound lanes from Oak Lake to Virden – a 21.9-kilometre asphalt pavement project;
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the Trans-Canada Highway, eastbound lanes from 13.2 km east of PTH 41 to PTH 83 – a
17-km high-performance chip seal application project (chip seal is a surface treatment to smooth and extend the life of the road surface); - PTH 83, from PTH 16 to PR 264 – a nine-km asphalt paving project, part of larger project to Roblin;
- PTH 83, from PR 255 to the Trans-Canada Highway – a 16.3-km microsurfacing project (microsurfacing is also a surface preservation treatment to improve the riding surface, fill wheel ruts and extend the life of the road surface;
- PTH 83, from PR 355 to PTH 42 – a 17-km high-performance chip seal application;
- PTH 83, from PTH 1 to PR 467 – a 22-km high-performance chip seal application;
- PTH 83, over Pipestone Creek north of PTH 2 – structure replacement*;
- PR 251, over the Souris River at Coulter – structure replacement*;
- PR 255, from PR 256 to PTH 83 – spot grade improvements for 21.3 km;
- PR 256, from north of PR 255 to PR 257 – an 11.4-km microsurfacing project;
*projects that will carry on into future years.
A further 13 projects are slated to start in future years, valued at $83 million, and including:
- PTH 2 at PR 256 – intersection improvements;
- PTH 2, at the Saskatchewan boundary to PTH 83 – a 34-km paving project;
- PTH 2, over Stony Creek near Reston – structure replacement;
- PTH 3, over Graham Creek near Melita – structure replacement;
- PTH 21, from the U.S. border to 3.5 km south of PTH 3 – a 19.2-km paving project;
- PTH 41, from PTH 42 to two km south of PTH 16 – a 15.9-km paving project;
- PTH 83, from north of PTH 24 – a 13.8-km paving project;
- PTH 83, over Bosshill Creek south of PR 257 – structure replacement;
- PR 251, from PTH 21 to Waskada – an 18-km grade widening and seal coat project;
- PR 255, from PR 256 to PTH 83 – spot grade improvements along a 21.3-km section;
- PR 256, from PTH 2 to Cromer – a 21.2-km grade, base and paving project;
- PR 545, from the Saskatchewan Boundary to PTH 41 – an 8.9-km grading project; and
- PR 579, from PR 478 to PTH 83 – a 6.4-km spot grade improvement project.
“We are continuing to meet with our oil industry partners to improve the road network using the new Commercial Infrastructure Fund to allow hauling of larger loads, making this important industry even more efficient,” said the premier. “We understand the oil industry is very competitive and these road improvements will help Manitoba’s oil industry to remain competitive.”
The projects are part of the Manitoba government’s $5.5-billion Five-Year Plan to Build a Stronger Manitoba. Funds raised from the one-cent-on-the-dollar increase in the PST will be dedicated to new investments in core infrastructure including:
- more than $3.7 billion to be invested in Manitoba roads, highways and bridges to better connect communities and strengthen trade corridors,
- $320 million to be invested in flood protection around the province to better protect more communities from flooding, and
- more than $1.5 billion to be invested in municipal roads, clean water and other municipal infrastructure to help meet the needs of Manitoba’s many growing communities.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution approaching and in construction zones, for their own safety and the safety of workers. The latest information on lane closures and road conditions is available anytime toll-free at 511, at www.mb511.ca or by following the Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MBGovRoads.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Oil Patch/Westman Area Projects - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2014/04/Oil_Patch_Road_Improvements.bkg.doc