Heavy truck loads will soon be able to move more freely in the parkland area as upgrades are planned for the bridge over Conjuring Creek on PTH 83 near Russell, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux announced.
The work is scheduled to start later this year and will be completed in December. Once completed, the upgrades to the bridge will allow for year-round heavy truck loads (TAC loading).
“PTH 83 is considered a core trade route in Manitoba and by upgrading the Conjuring Creek Bridge we are helping farmers and the grain and trucking industries operate their businesses more efficiently,” said Lemieux.
“I truly want to thank this government for realizing the need of this project and it’s worth for the community of Russell and entire Asessippi-Parkland region,” said Russell Mayor Merril Kiliwnik. “This is a great step to maintain economic development in the region and farmers and grain companies will reap the benefits.”
The minister noted that this project is just one example of the over 50 bridge reconstruction/renewal projects that the province is doing this year alone.
To ensure these sections of PTH 83 remain in good condition with the increased truck loads, additional road construction projects will be completed in the future. The section from Roblin to Swan River will also have the allowable weight increased (TAC loading) year round, as soon as the current reconstruction project between PTH 49 and PTH 57 is completed. This is an investment of approximately $16.5 million and completion is expected by the fall of 2010, weather permitting, the minister said.
In 2009 the province set a new record for highway and bridge renewal with the annual budget of $545 million up by over 50 per cent since 2006.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution when approaching construction zones for their safety and the safety of workers.
