The Manitoba government is investing $11.3 million in the province’s winter road system, an increase of $1.8 million from 2023, to provide access for northern communities and allow the delivery of essential goods.
“Winter roads are a lifeline for many northern communities and increasing our investment in their construction emphasizes our government’s recognition of their importance,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor. “Many families use these roads to re-supply, access health-care services and run their businesses. Our government remains committed to ensuring the growth and success of these communities.”
This increase in funding will allow the province to fund the winter road from St. Theresa Point to Berens River. This road alignment substantially reduces travel time required to get vital supplies to the remote communities, the minister noted.
Manitoba’s winter road system is made of temporary routes built to provide access to remote northern communities, allowing residents to receive fuel, building materials, food supplies and various goods and services. Depending on weather conditions, the road network is open from late January to mid-March. The majority of the winter road network is now open for traffic, noted the minister.
The roads serve more than 30,000 Manitobans in 22 communities and enable over 3,000 shipments of goods annually. The road system also provides residents with temporary inter-community travel as well as road access to the rest of the province. Manitoba’s winter road system is over 2,356 kilometres long, crossing a variety of terrains including muskeg, streams, rivers and lakes.
Timelines of completion for all roads depend on weather conditions and some sections of the winter road system may be closed for repairs on short notice due to changing weather conditions, the minister added.
A complete list of Manitoba’s winter roads is available at gov.mb.ca.
The province encourages travellers to check the road status on 511 before heading out.
