The upgrade to PTH 75 through the Town of Morris, including intersection improvements, new lighting and sidewalks as well as enhanced drainage has now been completed. This announcement was made by the Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba, and the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Provencher.
“Manitoba families, businesses and agricultural producers count on our roads and highways to get around and to do business,” said Premier Selinger. “The upgrades to Highway 75 will keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely along one of our busiest routes. Infrastructure renewal is a priority for Manitobans and this project is part of our commitment to keep improving roads across the province.”
“Our Government is proud to invest in Highway 75, making this route safer and faster for local commuters and also reducing traffic congestion for farmers and commercial truckers,” said Minister Toews, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport). “Our investment has created good paying jobs in our community and strengthened the local economy of our region. Our Government will continue to support local communities and focus on growth and prosperity across the country, including here in Manitoba.”
The work on PTH 75 through the Town of Morris began in 2011 with the reconstruction of southbound lanes, followed by northbound lanes this year.
The highway rehabilitation work is part of a major, multi-year initiative to upgrade PTH 75 from Ste. Agathe to Letellier. The total cost of the broader PTH 75 reconstruction and rehabilitation project is $90.2 million. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $42.5 million with the Province of Manitoba providing the balance of funding. The federal investment comes from the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, a $2.1-billion fund that supports projects that improve the flow of goods and trade, and support economic growth.
In addition to the federally cost-shared PTH 75 Reconstruction and Rehabilitation project, the Manitoba government funded a $1.4-million project to improve southbound lanes on PTH 75, on the Manitoba side of the Emerson international border crossing. The project involved the construction of a dedicated, southbound commercial truck lane and the addition of traffic signals and new lighting. These upgrades will improve traffic flows, especially for commercial trucks but also for cars, when lining up at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.