July 27, 2021
Canada and Manitoba invest $17 million in three projects to improve provincial highways and roads in rural Manitoba
THOMPSON—Investments in local infrastructure by the governments of Canada and Manitoba during this unprecedented time will help stimulate the economy and address the needs of all communities, including rural and remote communities, as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments to improve provincial highways and roads will create jobs, help bring goods and services closer to local markets, and build stronger, more connected communities.
Today, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Western Economic Diversification Canada) and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency), on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Rural Economic Development; and the Honourable Ron Schuler, Minister of Infrastructure, announced more than $17 million in joint funding to improve three provincial highways and roads in rural Manitoba.
Up to 60 kilometres of road improvements
A bituminous rehabilitation project south of Snow Lake will restore approximately 26 km of Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 39 from Provincial Road (PR) 392 eastward. The federal and provincial governments will each provide more than $3.9 million to the highway rehabilitation
PR 280, near Thompson, will be upgraded over 10 km to meet demands of current traffic volume and projected trends surrounding the towns of Gillam and Sundance as well as the Community of Split Lake. The Government of Canada will invest over $2.4 million in this road upgrade with the government of Manitoba also contributing more than $2.4 million.
South of Duck Bay, approximately 24 km of existing bituminous road will be restored by adding an additional thin lift overlay of bituminous pavement on PTH 20 between PR 271 and 272. The Government of Canada will invest over $2 million, and the government of Manitoba will also contribute more than $2 million to the project.
Providing communities with reliable and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments. The Government of Canada and the government of Manitoba are each investing more than $8.5 million toward eligible costs for these three road projects under the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Quotes
“Rural and northern communities are an integral part of our country, and they have been impacted by COVID-19 in unprecedented ways. Thanks to a federal funding of over $8.5 million, the three highway projects we’re announcing today will create jobs, improve road safety, facilitate the transportation of goods and services, and build stronger, more connected communities. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed $827 million for infrastructure projects in rural and northern communities, including roads, water infrastructure, and recreation facilities. To expand access to broadband, we have also invested over $198 million in Manitoba, which will help connect more than 86,000 households to high-speed internet. Through the Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada invests in thousands of infrastructure projects in all areas of the country, creating jobs and strengthening communities at a time when it is needed most.” — The Honourable Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Western Economic Diversification Canada) and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency) on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Rural Economic Development
“Restoring highway infrastructure is key to ensuring Manitobans have reliable and safe access to communities. For rural and northern areas particularly, roadways are relied on heavily for access to goods, services and their neighbouring communities. This announcement continues to reinforce the Province of Manitoba’s commitment to investing in safe roadways and creating economic growth in our northern communities.” — The Honourable Ron Schuler, Minister of Infrastructure
Quick Facts
• Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure that meets the unique needs of rural and northern communities, like facilities to support food security, local access roads, and enhanced broadband connectivity.
• In Manitoba, the Government of Canada has invested more $945 million in over 229 infrastructure projects across the province since 2015 under the Investing in Canada Plan.
Associated links
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-mb-eng.html
Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural/strat-eng.html
Government of Manitoba: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
www.gov.mb.ca/ICIP
- 30 -