Governments of Canada and Manitoba Support the National Highway System in Manitoba

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Aug. 23, 2016) - Infrastructure Canada

Safe and efficient highways are vital to both trade and tourism across Manitoba and the entire country. They represent important transport links necessary to stimulate economic development opportunities for the middle class.

That is why Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Infrastructure, and Doug Eyolfson, Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today announced $53 million in joint funding for major rehabilitation projects for Provincial Trunk Highways (PTH) 1 and 6. In addition to making these highways safer and wider, this rehabilitation work will extend the life of these assets by approximately 20 years.

Both highways are essential parts of the National Highway System in Manitoba. PTH 1 is the only highway that connects eastern Canada to western Canada, while PTH 6 provides a connection from Winnipeg to Northern Manitoba and Northern Ontario.

The PTH1 project will rehabilitate two sections of the highway: grade widening of a 21.3 kilometre stretch from PTH 11 to Provincial Road 308, and resurfacing a length of 31.8 kilometres from Brokenhead River to the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway.

The PTH6 project will rehabilitate the pavement on a section of roadway from Provincial Road 248 to Provincial Road 415 for a total length of 22.7 kilometres. The work will also include intersection improvements and other safety upgrades, such as paved shoulders with rumble strips.

Quick facts

• PTH 1 East rehabilitation project:
  • The governments of Canada and Manitoba are each contributing up to $16.5 million under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects, representing the total project cost.
• PTH 6 project:
  • The governments of Canada and Manitoba are each contributing up to $10 million under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects, representing the total project cost.

Quotes

"We are proud to work with our federal partners on maintaining public safety and improving the quality of our highways in Manitoba. Each of our highways connects communities and enables economic activity across our large and diverse province. Highway 6 is a gateway to northern Manitoba connecting our communities in the north to the capital region of our province. Highway 1-East is also an important lifeline for Manitoba servicing high volumes of traffic over a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway."

Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Infrastructure

"The Government of Canada is pleased to be partnering with the Government of Manitoba to invest in much needed upgrades to the National Highway system in the province. This work will provide a more reliable and safe ride for both Manitobans and visitors, stimulate economic growth and contribute to the high quality of life Canadians want and expect."

Doug Eyolfson, Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Manitobans have told us that infrastructure is their number one priority. These projects will promote safe, efficient travel and allow greater economic opportunity into our municipalities, while at the same time linking communities to each other."

Chris Goertzen, President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities

"We support and welcome anything that promises to make our roads - our workplaces - safer. Safer roads means safer drivers and that is of benefit to everyone in our province, from those behind the wheel right down to those who are relying on the goods they transport."

Terry Shaw, Executive Director, Manitoba Trucking Association

Associated links

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan

Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP)

New Building Canada Plan

Have your say on infrastructure

To apply for infrastructure funding in Manitoba

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada