May 21, 2021
Province Launches Online Engagement Seeking Input on Trade and Commerce Routes
– – –Information to Direct Investments for Highway Networks: Schuler
The Manitoba government is launching an online public engagement to seek input for a proposed grid of trade and commerce routes across the province, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today.
“International, interprovincial and regional movements of goods are an integral part of Manitoba’s economy, and the province’s highway network plays a vital role in enabling market access,” said Schuler. “The information gathered from this engagement will help direct our investments toward critical shipping routes in Manitoba.”
The proposed Routes: Trade and Commerce grid builds on the existing network of highways that support Manitoba’s heaviest highway loading to ensure Manitobans have a reliable connection to highways that support the movement of goods. The expanded grid consists of key north-south and east-west trade (interprovincial/international goods movement) and commerce (regional goods movement) routes that support Manitoba’s economy by enabling access to interprovincial and international markets.
The proposed grid encompasses more than 7,000 kilometres of provincial roads, with nearly 6,000 km of the grid already supporting Manitoba’s heaviest loading. When completed, the grid of trade and commerce routes will represent 36.5 per cent of Manitoba’s all-weather provincial road network.
The minister noted that allowing heavier loads on Manitoba’s highways equates to fewer shipments to transport goods, resulting in cost savings for businesses.
To take part in the engagement, visit https://engagemb.ca. The online public engagement will close June 11.
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