The eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway from Deacon’s Corner east of Winnipeg to the PTH 12 overpass, a distance of 22.4 kilometres, are now fully reopened, Premier Greg Selinger and Vic Toews, president of the Treasury Board, said today.
“These types of safety upgrades demonstrate our increased commitment to our highways and infrastructure,” said Premier Selinger. “This project is a key component of our $4-billion, 10 year highway and bridge renewal plan. It builds on past investments that are accelerating infrastructure renewal, stimulating the economy and creating jobs for Manitobans.”
“Thanks to our investment, this stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway is safer for Manitobans and all of the visitors to our province who travel on this road. We’re improving infrastructure to improve our quality of life, while boosting our regional economy by creating jobs,” said Minister Toews.
The reopening of the eastbound lanes is phase 1 of a two-phase project. Phase 1 of this project represents a federal-provincial investment of over $39 million. The work completed includes:
• the removal of trees and brush at various intersections to improve visibility,
• the installation of a number of new culverts to increase drainage, and
• the reconstruction of the eastbound lanes.
Beginning next spring, the second phase of this project will commence, which involves the reconstruction of the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway in the same area.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government has established a new $4‑billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) providing funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects. Funding is available for two years for projects that begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons and can be completed before March 31, 2011.
The Economic Action plan is providing close to $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years which will address needs in communities across Canada, as well as contributing to long-term economic growth through investments in public infrastructure, such as roads, water treatment, green energy and transit.
Today’s announcement continues the important steps the Province of Manitoba is taking to support economic growth by investing $1.6 billion this year into infrastructure to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and renew the province’s roads, schools, health facilities, and water‑treatment facilities.
In 2009, the province set a new record for highway and bridge renewal with an annual budget of $545 million, up from $415 million, an increase of over 30 per cent from 2008.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution when approaching and in construction zones for the safety of workers. Updated information on road conditions and lane restrictions is available at www.manitoba.ca.
