September 3, 2015
Province Announces Construction Begins on New Interchange at Intersection of PTH 59 and PTH 101
– – –Greater Safety, More Efficient Traffic Flow, Active Transportation Corridor to Meet Future Needs of Growing Province, Boost Economy: Premier Selinger
Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art interchange at the intersection of PTH 59 and PTH 101, which will increase safety for motorists, greatly improve traffic flow and help ensure Manitoba’s key infrastructure continues to support its growing economy, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Manitoba’s economy is growing and investments in our transportation infrastructure will help keep it on track and continue creating more jobs,” Premier Selinger said. “This new interchange will make travel faster and safer for families and businesses.”
The $204-million contract was awarded to Flatiron Construction Canada Ltd. after a competitive bidding process and it is expected the project will create 2,320 jobs and be completed by the fall of 2018, Premier Selinger said.
During construction, at least four lanes of PTH 59 and at least two lanes of PTH 101 will remain open. Project features include:
- realignment of PTH 101 as required by the redesigned interchange,
- future allowance for six lanes on PTH 101,
- upgraded intersection at PTH 59 and PR 202 with a traffic signal and additional turning lanes to allow for a future interchange,
- six lanes on PTH 59 between PTH 101 and PR 202,
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an Active Transportation corridor and a separate emergency vehicle crossing as part of a
through-pass crossing of PTH 101 at the Raleigh Street-Gateway Street corridor, - closure of accesses along PTH 101 and PTH 59 and hard surfacing of selected service roads; and
- redirect Knowles Avenue traffic to the Headmaster Row extension.
“Investments in our provincial road and bridge infrastructure provide for improved and more productive pathways for those in the trucking industry,” said Terry Shaw, executive director, Manitoba Trucking Association. “While these improvements are obviously good for our industry, Manitoba’s economy as a whole is very trade-focused and this means investing in our provincial infrastructure affords benefits to all Manitoba industries. Strategic investments in infrastructure, such as the work being done on PTH 59, allow our economy as a whole to operate more efficiently, which has significant benefits on safety, the environment as well as the obvious economic benefits.”
“The announcement today is not just about building more highways and overpasses, it’s about equipping our trade-reliant economy with a transportation system that makes us more productive and competitive, and therefore able to grow our global trade footprint,” said Chris Lorenc, president, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. “Think about Highway 75 and the $19 billion of north-south trade it supports, or CentrePort Canada Way, which moves products more cost-effectively, or the Perimeter Highway connected to the Trans-Canada Highway, which links our country coast to coast. These are all key trade routes which help sustain the 240,000 jobs in Manitoba directly or indirectly enabled by trade.
“This major project and other upgrades to provincial roads and bridges are made possible through Manitoba’s $5.5-billion, five-year investment in core infrastructure,” said Premier Selinger. “Analysis by the Conference Board of Canada shows our infrastructure plan will create 58,900 jobs and grow our economy by $6.3 billion.”
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.
Additional information about the project can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo/construction.html.
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