The re-opening of westbound lanes along the Trans-Canada Highway from Deacon’s Corner to the Highway 12 overpass marks the completion of a major two-year highway project. The completion was announced today by the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and the Member of Parliament for Provencher and Steve Ashton, Minister of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making important investments in projects across Manitoba, such as this vital stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway,” said Minister Toews. “Our government understands the importance of supporting infrastructure projects that create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve the quality of life for Manitobans.”
“This Manitoba government has made historic investments in the provinces roads and bridges,” Minister Ashton said. “Upgrades to major economic corridor highways, such as Trans-Canada, strengthen the province’s position as a key national trading hub in the global supply chain.”
The upgrades to all four lanes included intersection improvements, installation of new culverts, and the reconstruction and re-paving of both east- and westbound lanes. The governments of Canada and Manitoba each contributed $30 million toward this project.
Federal support for this project is being provided through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF). As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the $4-billion ISF is providing funding to close to 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country. Of the 112 ISF projects in Manitoba, this project is the single largest federal and provincial investment.
The project completion continues important steps the Province of Manitoba is taking to support economic growth by investing $1.8 billion this year into infrastructure to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and renew the province’s roads, schools, health facilities and water-treatment facilities. Manitoba’s highway budget for 2010 is $525 million, up more than 50 per cent since 2006.
Other major projects in the area, cost-shared with the Government of Canada, will see improved highways for the benefit of motorists and transportation in general, including: on-going work to construct CentrePort Canada Way, a new, four-lane divided road on the north-west side of Winnipeg; upgrades to Highway 75 from Ste. Agathe to Morris; and improvements to PTH 15, east of Winnipeg.
Updated information on road conditions and lane restrictions is available at manitoba.ca.
