October 5, 2015
Province Announces Major Roads in The Pas Region to be Upgraded with Targeted Investments
– – –Government Partnership with Industry Supports Economic Development, Promotes Business Efficiency: Premier Selinger
THE PAS—The Manitoba government is launching the first wave of road improvements funded by the Trucking Productivity Improvement Fund, which is based on fees collected from companies that transport overweight cargo on provincial roads, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Through this important partnership, the province is repairing the roads that companies use to haul loads above weight limits to improve their productivity,” said Premier Selinger. “The fund enhances flexibility for companies, promotes economic development and creates efficiencies for regional businesses. It also ensures that a portion of cost savings to industry are reinvested in the roads that are worn in the process.”
The fund will invest $1.4 million on provincial roads across Manitoba including:
- $750,000 for improvements and repairs to PR 384, also known as Moose Lake Road; and
- $250,000 improving PR 392, PR 393 and PR 395 near Snow Lake.
“Tolko welcomes the improvements to these roads,” said Terry Hamilton, general manager, Tolko Industries in Manitoba. “We look forward to improved public safety as well as increased haul efficiencies for our contractors. These improvements will benefit industry and the communities where Tolko operates.”
These investments are above and beyond the Manitoba government’s ongoing commitment to building core infrastructure and creating good jobs, the premier said. In 2014-15, the Manitoba government invested more than $1 billion in core infrastructure, exceeding its commitment to match PST revenues with infrastructure investment by $28 million. The report for 2014-15 shows the investments in infrastructure boosted the economy by $1.31 billion, advanced exports by $699 million, increased retail sales by $225 million and created more than 9,755 jobs, the premier said.
“The report shows we’re on track to meet our commitments to Manitobans,” said Premier Selinger. “We’re building like never before, creating jobs, growing the economy and making Manitoba an even better place to live.”
The premier also noted the $5.5 billion core infrastructure plan is making significant improvements right around The Pas, with more than 141 kilometres of work done on PTH 10 in recent years and local investments like grade improvements on PR 282, southwest of The Pas.
The premier said the core infrastructure plan will support more than $23 million in projects around The Pas in the coming few years including:
- paving PTH 10 for 18 km north of The Pas;
- performing surface work on PTH 10 south of The Pas from PR 282 north for 31 km;
- paving 22 km of PR 283 from the Saskatchewan border to PR 282, west of The Pas;
- paving nine km of PR 285 from PTH 10 to Lapointe Road; and
- paving 11km of PR 287 from PTH 10 to The Pas airport.
Manitoba’s annual core infrastructure report can be seen at www.steadygrowth.ca.
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