Two major bridge rehabilitation projects on the south Perimeter Highway, one at Pembina Highway (PTH 100 at PTH 75) and the other at Fermor Road (PTH 100 at PTH 1), will soon be complete and will improve traffic flow and safety for motorists and commercial vehicles. This announcement was made by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.
“These projects are part of our long-term commitment to invest in core infrastructure, the economy and good jobs throughout Manitoba,” Minister Ashton said. “These two overpasses are heavily travelled by area motorists, tourists and commercial travellers. These upgrades will help grow the economy.”
The minister said the construction of the overpass at Pembina Highway was done by MD Steele Construction at a cost of $9 million and created an estimated 102 jobs. The work included:
- reconstruction and paving of the four traffic lanes,
- installation of new guardrail protection, and
- addition of an improved active transportation lane along Pembina Highway for pedestrians and cyclists.
The minister said the construction of the overpass at Fermor Road was done by Gateway Construction at a cost of $6.5 million and created an estimated 74 jobs. The work included:
- replacing overpass girders and concrete deck,
- installing new concrete barrier protection,
- repairing the concrete foundations, and
- improving approach road works to the overpass.
Minister Ashton noted the improvements to the two Perimeter Highway overpasses were done under Manitoba’s recently completed $1.8-billion Building and Renewal Plan to meet critical infrastructure needs including flood protection and roads.
That plan has been replaced by the Manitoba government’s new five-year, $5.5-billion core infrastructure plan, which is supported with the one-cent-on-the-dollar PST increase, Minister Ashton said. The Conference Board of Canada has projected this plan will create 58,900 jobs over five years, boost the economy by $6.3 billion and boost exports by $5.4 billion, the minister noted.
